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I hope you found something satisfactory for your containers last season. I thought I'd throw out a few suggestions to experiment with this year.
Since your containers are visible all the time, it's nice to try to have something with all-season interest. Many of the dwarf conifers do well in the shade - Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Hinoki' [false cypress], Mugo pine, Yew [compactas or nanas] and Dwarf Alberta Spruce. Hollies [Ilex - crenata, japanese or 'hedgehog'] and pieris are also dependable. I've had a dwarf varigated pieris for close to 10 years that blooms wonderfully and doesn't look like it's grown more than a few inches.
Some perennials to consider are ferns, heuchera [coral bells -lots or different gorgeous foliage]and the Saxifrages. Ophiopogon Nigrens [Black Mondo Grass] will get every visitor asking questions. It's expensive but worth it.
Many of the carexes [Comans, bucchananii, frosty curls] do very well in the shade. Hakenakloa [japanese grass] is custom built for shade. It's drooping, stripey green/ yellow foliage turns whiter the more sun it gets. It loves boggy conditions. My Miscanthus 'Yaku Jima' did well also.
Don't forget to pull out the old stand-bys - Pansies or Viola - to add in a jolt of drapey color.
When container gardening, you must select plants that are two or three zones hardier than your own. The soil in a container gets much colder than the ground as it is exposed to the surrounding air. Otherwise, the container must be submerged in the ground for the winter. If it is partial shade, try globe caraganas or potentillia. Make sure your containers are well watered before they freeze and try to use at least a 60 cm diameter container (with drainage holes) to allow for root growth and moisture retention. I prefer to use a good sandy loam mixed with an equal part soiless mix for permanent container plantings.
About the only shrub I see in my gardening guide for a part shade location is a Hydrangea -- either Annabelle or PeeGee. Annabelle gets white flowers and PeeGee is light pink flowers. Supposedly they do well in Zone 3 or 4. The size is indicated as 3 ft. high and 3 ft. wide. I'm not sure how they do in containers.