Pieris is one of our favorite plants for the shade. It starts blooming in late winter and continues through spring, providing a long bloom season. In addition some pieris, like “Mountain Fireâ€, have new growth that is bright red, providing further interest. In the foothills deer resistance is important, and pieris has good deer resistance.
There are a number of different varieties of peris, each with it’s own attributes. Two of my favorite are “Prelude†and “Mountain Fireâ€. “Prelude†is pictured above. It grows to about two feet tall and wide, with clusters of white bell shaped flowers that stand above the foliage. Its shape is a neat, rounded form. Place it in the foreground of your planting beds. 
“Mt. Fire†is a taller grower, up to six feet plus. It has of bell shaped flowers that hang in pendulous clusters. While flowering, new growth that is bright red appears creating a spectacular display. Since it gets tall, use it in the background of smaller plantings, or as a screen.
If you would like to explore the world of pieris now would be a great time.