Question
Whats a good plant for urns near the door that are mostly in the shade.

Answer
Boston Fern (Nephrolepis) has Victorian formality and requires little sun.

Impatiens are often grown in urns around here although I am not fond of that look; it's a personal taste matter.

Evergreen boxwood or other fir grown as topiaries are costly but if you grow/train/prune yourself, they are very striking.  Dr Bob's Gardening Tips has step by step instructions depending on where you live (http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/gt/topiary/topiary.htm).

Most magnificent of all: I vote for English Ivy trained on a Topiary Form.  Triangles or stacked orbs.  The Ivy grows quickly and I do happen to love the look.  See the visuals at Pacific Wire & Supply (http://www.etopiary.com/Topiary_Hints.html), Save-on-crafts (http://www.save-on-crafts.com/topiaryforms.html), and 'Taking Care of your Topiar' at the Grasmere Shop website (http://www.grasmeretheshop.com/ivy_care_guide.htm).

Thanks for writing.