One of the smaller Kalmias like 'Tinkerbelle' or Hydrangea arborescens? Dwarf Fothergilla, Leucothoe, Ilex crenata?

Thanks for the suggestions. I googled them and found that
Kalmias, though zone 4 like sandy soil. Guess I should have mentioned that the soil here is clay. If I see one somewhere I suppose I could give it a shot but unlikely nurseries would buy them for around here.
Hydrangea, a little to big and leggy I think.
Dwarf Fothergilla really excited me and if I can find one I will probably buy one for a different spot - but it says requires full sun (and likes acid soil which is clay is not)
Leuchthoe is a possibility, not at all familiar with it but will keep an eye open.
Ilex, could get too big and as far as I know no one in Nebraska has had luck with Ilex? (holly right?)
Thanks,
Mary

If you look up plants in a couple of different places, you'll see some disagreement on culture, etc.

Here is a link that might be useful: link

I'm confused. This is a shady, windy, dry spot with clay soil. You want something taller than 8 inches but shorter than a hosta, and you want a shrub? Is that correct? And the area is 2 feet by ?, and 6 feet by ?.

For shrub you could do either a dwarf japanese quince or some kind of mahonia. You could also try a groundcover like pachysandra, hypericum, or sweet woodruff. Ferns would also work well, I think. Finally, you could try some kind of clumping perennial that can take that tough spot and go taller, like peach-leafed campanula.

That sounds like a tough spot, so you may need to make compromises. You can certainly amend the soil a bit to make it more hospitable.

Patty

When I was writing I realized that some of the hosts are going to be 18" or so, so to simplify I'd say the shrub should be about 2'. Considering how big some of the hosta's may get I suppose I could just use them but I think I'd like a shrub for a different structure.
one area is 2' wide and runs all the way around the garage, between the garage and the sidewalk. The other side is 6' wide but is shorter as it only goes out to the lawn and stops (i.e. between the sidewalk and part of the house that bumps out, put another way the sidewalk goes up to the door between these two areas which are not equal in width).
I think I'd prefer a shrub to provide a bit of different structure since the rest of the area will be in various perennial's (well at last that's the plan so far:)

Have you looked at Aronia Melanocarpa 'Iroquois' which is supposed to be 2-3' ft tall and Itea 'Little Henry' which is supposed to be 2-4' tall.

i am glad you researched your fothergilla before being disappointed. maybe others here have had success, but i doubt it will do well. good luck! (i am here looking to replace mine for a similar situation.)

Question?. Why does it have to be a shrub. I think you could add some curb appeal with a couple of nice decorative planters. Then you could do simple topiaries or you could have vines and shade flowers cascading.

Another idea would be to widen the stoop on both sides. This would give you more room on either side of your door. Maybe a small bench or a chair. Do you have room to hang some stuff.

Im partial to garden junk and clutter myself. You might prefer a cleaner look. Either way I think your front door should be a focal point.

Fothergilla will require acid soil and won't tolerate clay.
Think about some dwarf conifers? Thuja, tsuga/ hemlok/ and taxus/ yew/ have great shade tolerance and have many dwarf forms.
Hosta and juniper will look good together and junipers are adapatable to city conditions and some shade.
Container clematis? I have Cezanne and Versalis and they both can be left at 2 feet height while blooming their heads off.
Itea virginica Little Henry blooms in the summer very nicely.
Dwarf viburnum?
Dwarf acer- palmatum dissectum are my favorites.
Thuja had many dwarf forms some of them golden ones, will take some shade and clay soil.
Sambucus Golden locks won't grow more than 3 feet and has lacy dissected yellow leaves, white blooms and red berries in the fall.
Some chamaecyparis is gorgeous and has slow growing/ dwarf varieties, not all of them are hardy for zone 5 but worth looking into.

I loved the sound of Sambucus Golden locks but sort of ran out of time to look for things and ended up with a
dwarf Rhododendrum(sp. Probably not ideal. The hostas aren't doing all that well.
We will see. Being in a new state, its all an experiment. I just wish failure wasn't so expensive:)

If the Rhodo succumbs to the dryness, do try Yew, as suggested by Lindalana. The arching/drooping forms like Repandens and Dovastoniana are lovely; train them up first, then let them droop. Chamaecyparis prefer more sun, and Tsugas don't like it dry (might also not be hardy). The gold sambucus might need more sun for the gold to show up, and it will lean to the sun in any case.

call and ask around for Kerria Japonica. it will take dry shade after it is established.gets 4-5 foot tall has bright green stems all winter and a bright yellow flower and tends to sucker in moist settings. it's realtively easy to find as a mail order plant.

diggerb

My two favorite small shrubs for part shade or shade
locations: a smaller variety of Nandina domestica (listed as Z.6, but I know someone in the Hudson Valley of NY (Z.5)who has protected it and brought it through) or
Diervilla sessilifolia (Z.5) - both produce flowers (although not overwhelming) and seem to do just fine in
my clay soil..... Both are available online from the very reliable Forestfarm.com.....I've even seen the Nandina
at HD and Lowe's.

Carl

Update: I may have underestimated the amount of sun I have in these spots as I have pretty much fried some small hosta's and the rhododendrum's are looking a tiny bit stressed. The problem is that this time of year of course these spots get the most sun they will all year. As the sun's patterns change they will get less sun. But I am wondering if I can get away with more partial sun plants.
I do think this thread will help other searchers and appreciate everyone's efforts and suggestions.
Mary

No comments on the topic, but I had to stop in and compliment you on the alliteration. Well done!