Small tree/shrub for outside north-facing but sheltered front door

[Penguintears]

I know nothing at all about plants but have managed to keep my garden going by trial and error! I have a lovely little olive tree outside my front door which never gets any sun and I often forget to water it but it has been very forgiving and lasted 10 years so far!

I'd like to get another small tree or shrub to plant in a pot on the other side of the front door. It's north facing so no direct sun but is inside an open porch so is sheltered from rain and the worst of the winds. An evergreen would be best, something that doesn't need too much TLC and is hard to kill! Any ideas? I did wonder about Holly or a Bay tree?

I imagine bay to be a Mediterranean plant so would want sun. Holly sounds good.

Camilia sounds like it would fit the bill, my one seems very hardy, is evergreen & has beautiful big red flowers that last for ages

I agree with camellia for evergreen, but if you are willing to go deciduous it would be a good place for a japanese maple. Not evergreen, but some have colourful bark which is still very beautiful in winter (e.g. Sango Kaku), and they are very beautiful in all seasons.

An escallonia pink Elle is evergreen, flowers for six weeks at this time of year and would stay small enough for a pot (a big pot though, it will grow to 1metre height and spread). I have two and it will does fine in north facing although it would always prefer sun.

I agree with the Japanese maple idea, but the OP says that watering often gets forgotten and it wouldn't like that all that much.

Thank you I will look these up!