Hi Madtripper.
Not all shurbs are trimed/pruned/ round shaped as you said.
Many trees shurbs are thin out, not shared, we call it "Sukashi" deffrent tree and shurbs are thin out defferently. Many of home gardeners under estimate importance of haveing right tools and do not learn how to keep tools sharp.

Pruning of nadina is defferent from pruning of acuba,yew or camelea. .............. mike

Hi, since we are in the same zone I know this plant will fit the bill for you. Picea Abies "Little Gem" is a dwarf conifer that grows about 1 inch a year and stays in a rounded shape with virtually no trimming. Mine have not required pruning since I planted them.

Good luck

Cheers Jando

Hi June
I am happy to hear from you. Things are may be working well for you ^-^.. Instead of seeds will send you seedlings of 2~4th years. We have spring like weather last few day.
I wait untill your weather warm up a little. southern grown seedling may not survive harsh winter of north if I send you now. I will send it to you before just leave are develope.
mike

Thank you Mike, you are too kind to me. :)))))))))

Cheers June

Jando -

Thanks for drawing attention to Picea Abies "Little Gem".

I have several small-leaved Hebes that have a naturally compact, ground-hugging & rounded shape and an Escallonia "Newport Dwarf" that from a few feet away looks very similar to a small-leaved Azalea & that takes well to being kept trimmed to a similar shape, but I think that probably none of them is hardy enough for Illinois or around Guelph.

But I've been looking around for a small shrub of similar shape to give a bit of variety, and Picea Abies "Little Gem" sounds - and from pictures of it, looks - very suitable. I shall look out for one.

Herb