flowersandthings,

Assuming you've the space to overwinter large plants, brugmansia (angel's trumpet) and datura (devil's trumpet) would work and look nice. Check the brug forum for information on how to do this and for more information on these plants. Also, don't forget that house plants such as spider plants, crotons and dracena are tropicals as well.

Other plants that perform well for me in the shade are hydrangeas, heliotrope and aaaleas. Also impatiens and coleus like shade.

Supposedly birds of paradise are a shade plant, I've three in the backyard that are in full-sun and that do well.

There are several books out on shade gardening, browse the gardening of your local bookstores for them, and I'm sure you find lots of ideas.

Hope this helps,
Mark

I was thinking of bird of paradise .......