Choosing Container Plants for a North Facing Balcony

The horticulture department of your local university can be a good source of info. I live in Western Canada and my "go to" book is the Sunset Western Garden Book. I have a helleborous that has done well in shade. It's a winter bloomer and I have seen it in planters. I have found that flowering plants recommended for shade do need some sun to flower well. eg pansies, astilbe, fuschia.

I would ask at your local green houses or garden centers.