What evergreens are good for shade?
Yews – Taxus species – are by far the most shade tolerant conifers. There are smaller cultivars on the market, although they may not be the easiest to find, and readily available spreading yews will not provide that conical shape you prefer. American arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis) and western red cedar (Thuja plicata) are both Native American trees that can thrive in sun or in high shade. If you want conifers for shade with mounded shapes and a loose growth habit, consider variegated elkhorn cedar (Thujopsis dolabrata ‘Nana Variegata’).