hello. i have always loved heaths/heathers but have yet to plant any!

i have an area i am trying to replant. currently, i am looking for something to plant, one on each side, of the front door. the bed is full shade to part sun on the other side of the door. the side in the shade is clay, while the other was filled with @ 6 inches of topsoil after laying a new concrete sidewalk.

will a heath or heather work here? i hope there is one! oh, eastern exposure. i am looking for 3 foot tall or taller. i have a hydrangea in the bed that will eventually be taller than 3 feet, so i wouldn't want it to look too funny and imbalanced when mature.

i am looking for alternatives to conifers. i don't really like boxwood, etc.

thanks!