Ferns, variegate ivy and Hostas lived in a big pot in a shady part of our old garden. Bit boring in winter though.

I don't think you can beat Skimmia. an evergreen slow growing shrub with gorgeous fragrant flowers in spring. If you get a female form and there is a male plant nearby you will get berries. though there is a self fertile one that will mean berries even if you only have the 1 plant.

There are several varieties of Sarcococca, Christmas or Sweet Box and these will do well in a shaded position. As the name suggest, small, fragrant flowers round about Christmas time.

Hi Julia! how are you doing? I Haven't seen you online in a long while. Hope you are getting on well in these strange times. Is your area prone to frost? That's the big difference with potted plants, freezing the root ball. I think a mini rhododendron would perfect in that position, with a little protection from a deep freeze. There a several different types to choose from.

Hi Julia...do you want something compact, or a taller plant to train up a wall or trellis etc? Im thinking back to my heuchera display in my last garden. There was a big Fatshedera there. Lovely plant, but requires protection from winds. I can’t grow it here. I used to grow another lovely evergreen climber in shade..Berberidopsis Corralina. And a gorgeous clematis called Love Child’ which had a nice fragrance. The Heucheras were great in shady pots along with ferns. You could actually have a little shelving display of different Heuchs there which would look lovely most of the winter if its protected from harsh winds. Or what about a Hydrangea?

Thank you so much for all your advice/ideas. I've decided to go with 'Jimmytheone's' suggestion of a Sarcococca. It will give me colour all year round and as that part of the patio is right by our bedroom window I'm hoping we will get the fragrance in our bedroom, once it's got established. Thanks again folks.

Lovely idea! :)