Dark corner

without the flowers ,how about a variegated phormium? this will give all year colour.

I have a Weigela Florida Variegata in a shady corner and it does well. Lots of attractive pink-white flowers now. Its recommended for partial shade but they are pretty versatile and easy to grow. Mine is about 4 feet but they can grow taller and get to about 6 feet x 6 feet.

I have a Aucuba Crotonifolia growing in deep shade under an old apple tree. . Again, this has no flowers (although does produce lovely red berries) but its colour really brightens up the the area. Quick growing and evergreen.

Euonymus fortunei (several different ones) grow happily in those conditions - I like 'Silver Queen' and there's 'Emerald 'n' Gold' as well as others. The flowers are tiny, but the leaves are beautiful. Size? Up to you to keep it the size you want it! Not at all difficult.

How about pieris (Forest flame)? Lots in shady positions on my row. Coloured new leaves just starting to fade to green now, but the white flowers are still lovely. I'd add a photo if I had my camera. Needs acid soil (ericaceous), however, I think. And you can get a variegated one.

Thanks for all your lovely ideas - I'll enjoy checking them out in more detail on Google.

if you have acidic soil you could try a camelia. aucuba as mentioned produces small, almost black flowers. I have posted a photo of the flowers. I alos grow a mahonia in quite deep shade of a beech hedge as well as Viburnum tinus.