Some of the upright hollies such as 'Oakleaf' will give you dense evergreen screening, and won't get so darned wide, which will allow you more room in your bed for other plants. If when you say 'tree-shaped', you mean spreading up top - that will be a detriment to growing things underneath as they will cast a lot of shade onto your perennial bed -- unless you like growing shade-loving perennials like ferns, hosta, etc., it seems to me. You may also consider Photinia, Carolina Cherrylaurel 'Bright n Tight', Japanese ligustrum, Chinese evergreen oak, Holly osmanthus, Camellia sasanqua, Chindo viburnum, Leatherleaf viburnum, lots to choose from.

Tsuga - our Serviceberry is planted in an east facing location, with only morning sun. Wondering if yours has a more open habit? That's what I expect with mine in these conditions. How are the spring blooms and fall color for you? By any chance do you have any pictures you can share? I'd love to see a mature one in the landscape. We just planted ours earlier this year. I'd love to see pics of your Satomi as well. Milwaukeean, when I think of crabapples I think of a messy tree with lots of maintenance, maybe I'm wrong. I also think of a low branching tree, not ideal for the placement. Gardener, I'm on my second year with the heptacodium, can't wait for it to mature. My narrowed choices, though I'm leaning more towards the latter two: 1. Fringe tree - lacks four season interest, late to wake up in spring 2. Serviceberry Autumn Brilliance - seasonal interest, I have this already in my front yard 3. Kousa Dogwood - other than the flower color, what are the primary differences between white flowered and Satomi? I'm planting this next to a purple leaf sandcherry, which of these do you think would compliment it more? Kousa Dogwood - are the berries messy? I read they prefer shade, my placement would be full sun, how will it fare in this condition?

http://landscaping.about.com/od/evergreenornamentaltrees1/p/hinoki_cypress.htm These don't grow over 15 feet, but you can trim them like hedges I'm sure. http://woodyplants.nres.uiuc.edu/plant/chaobng http://www.pendernursery.com/Catalog/Detail/chamaecyparisobtusananagracili.html http://www.about-garden.com/e/en/211-cypress-chamaecyparis-obtusa-nana-gracilis/ I hope this helps!

i beg to differ with picea on terminology .... dwarf plants will outgrown the area within 5 to 10 years.... look for MINI conifers ... the difference is the annual growth rate .... hit the link to the ACS ... and read up on the tutorials [especially the Intro to conifers]... and general information ... you have many options.. if you go the mail order route ... you will not find a lot of stuff locally .. unless you are real lucky .... tell us .. specifically .. where you are.. and maybe we can lead you to suppliers .... a lot of them are out in OR .... below are 3 pix ... of areas where there are MANY MINI's in confined spaces ... try to ignore the hail .... and ignore the dwarf .. he will outgrow the space also .... ken Here is a link that might be useful: intro to conifers