Some good candidates for your needs are schip (pronounced "skip") laurel, compact mountain laurel, or compact Japanese andromeda. Alternatively, you could plant a yew and keep it clipped.

For information about schip laurel (Prunus laurocerasus ‘Schipkaensis') see North Carolina State Extension's fact sheet. The Missouri Botanical garden provides descriptions of mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia), Japanese andromeda (Pieris Japonica), and yew (Taxus).

Any of these plants should work well in your space.

For tips on a variety of gardening topics, see our Plant Information Guides.

- Courtesy of Plant Information Service