"Martin Brown" wrote in message news
On 21/03/2017 16:07, Roger Tonkin wrote:

What can folks suggest for an evergree/flowering/preferably
scented/easy care shrub that would be suitable for such a
position?

Evergreen makes it tougher.

Hydrangea petiolaris will be OK on a north facing wall and has nice flowers
in early summer. Bit slow growing though.

Ivy in one of its variagated forms is an option I suppose.

I have a few hydrangeas on a north facing fence but they're deciduous. Quite
hardy, in addition to shade grown, they thrive in a border only 18" deep.

Not sure of their names, there's a few each of flatcap purpley blues and
mophead whites :-
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/s5jdkxyy2...eLtQc9JFa?dl=0

I usually remember to cut the tops off below the fence but last year I
forgot. My neighbour didn't mind :-)

You mentioned it was against a wall. I assume it has a foundation, so
dryness maybe an issue?