Both Kerria japonica and Annabelle hydrangeas (Hydrangea arborescens cvts) will tolerate a lot of shade and still produce flowers. Shrub dogwoods (Cornus sericea or C. alba) are also very shade tolerant. All should be fully hardy in your zone.

I have a calycanthus in just about full shade and it is blissfully happy. And huge. It does sucker madly, though.

Will calycanthus grow in that cold a climate? I though they were limited to zone 5 at the lower end.

It's survived multiple winters of -30F here.

Thank you all. I will look into all the suggestions.

i have nothing growing there now.

From University of Minnesota extension. University of Minnesota extension recommends shrubs for shade.

there's shade, and then there's shade. there's many things that tolerate shade, some that thrive, and a few that need it. What's causing the shade? If the cause is large existing trees...you also have water issues that will determine how successful any new plantings are going to be. If buildings, that's much easier to manage.

does evergreen matter? boxwood and yew. rhoddies possibly.

what time(s) of the year are you looking for screening? If year round, look for evergreen. If seasonal, there are more options. It's also possible to use certain large growing, shade loving perennials (hosta, lugularia, cimicifuga, aruncus among others) if all you are concerned about is the growing season.

If it's a lot of shade, which is what I am imagining since it's caused by a fence, Hydrangeas will love it. The normal, non fancy ones from our grandmothers time grow about the height you want.

I didn't know Kerria japonica could tolerate shade. That's a nice shrub. The yellow of the flowers is a very nice yellow.

BTW, in my experience, although Hydrangeas love water, they are not thrilled about water all the time/poor drainage. I do have a clay based soil and maaaaybe that has something to do with it, I don't know.