I am unclear - you want a shrub that is 2' high?

IME that won't be attractive to birds since it's too close to the ground and predators.

Do you want flowers or just branches with leaves?

Are you OK with conifers?

Azaleas and rhododendrons are happy in shade. Many azaleas stay fairly short.

Dirca palustris

Rhododendron 'Golden Lights'

If you are OK with conifers, Tsuga canadensis has several dwarf selections, though the regular form is a large tree.

if the Ws serve a purpose there ... why not leave them there ...

and just buy some others for full sun ... or other things???

if i understand the premise.. you like what you got ... so why change it ...

most conifers are also full sun plants ... but will not die in shade.. but they wont grow very fast or well ...

i also dont know.. what birds would be nesting.. that low to the ground ...

ken

my azalea and rhodie took a heck of a shot the last two winters.. in what is normally a z5 MI ... but i had 2 z4s in a row ...

not sure they could handle z3???

ken

Whoops, no not two feet. Something 4'+ but won't end up being a monster. Sorry, don't know why I put a couple feet.

I'm looking for anything as of now.

Conifers are a maybe, depends on the type.

I also thought azaleas and rhododendrons were zone 4...I wouldn't trust them to live through our winter.

I'll check out those conifers, but yeah I thought they would prefer full sun.

I like the weigelas but they're not really doing well in that area anymore. And when I moved the one to basically full sun there is quite a difference in growth and appearance. Seems they would be happier In a differnt tspot.

And even if I kept them there I'm still looking for some other shrubs to fill in some empty spots in that garden.

I'm looking to attract chipping Sparrows. Which build their nest 3-10 feet off the ground.

The Plants Database of the USDA has an advanced search function which allows you to search the database by state, county, type of plant (grass, vine, tree, etc.), and a couple other entries. Try running your state and county, and look for shrubs and trees that are native to your area - you should be able to find something that works. Here's the page: http://plants.usda.gov/adv_search.html

Thnaks for the link, I'll have to type it in, in the morning though on my computer as it's too confusing on my phone!

Tsuga canadensis, dwarf or weeping cultivars, are the only conifers that I know of that will get 4-10 feet in shade, but they are happy in full shade (they grow in shade all over my property), and your couple of hours of sun will help them be a bit denser.

Rhododendron 'Golden Lights' is a deciduous rhodie, and is rated zone 3-7, 3'-6' tall. It was developed at the U of Minnesota along with other deciduous rhodies as part of the "Northern Lights" series, specifically for really cold areas. I don't know which of the others are rated to zone 3 or only to zone 4, but they include Northern Hi-lights, Orchid Lights, Rosy Lights, etc, etc. I've grown all the ones listed just fine here, but we only get down to a bit below -20F. Here's a link to the page on the Lights series which lists all of them. Like all rhodies, they need well-drain, acid, soil and mulching since they have shallow roots.

Attempted at the link and filled out everything and got one match. A black Huckleberry Berry.... Dont know where I would find that.

I like the hemlocks. Will see what's available!

Thanks for the link! I do like rhododendrons. We Have tons growing out at my cabin (zone5) It's good to know some can survive! I think I have the perfect spot for one.... Also will have to see if I can find any! Got a terrible selection on plants here.

Thanks!