Low maintenance compact shrub ideas

Super gardener

Ideas please for a compact shrub for bare area to right of (recently pruned) laurel.  Part shade, moist but free draining soil, needs to be hardy and cope with frost.  Also any ideas for low maintenance under planting?

Fairygirl

Potentilla, Weigela, Viburnum, Spirea, Deutzia. All are completely hardy, and would only need the odd trim.
If you don't have alkaline soil, Pieris, Azaleas, Skimmias etc. 
They don't really suit being pruned in to a pudding shape though. Best left to grow naturally, and just have branches removed as necessary. 

Hardy geraniums, Ajuga, Pachysandra, Iberis and Lamiums will all be fine a ground cover. Loads of others too. Bulbs for spring in among them as well. 

robairdmacraignil

My own favourite compact shrub would be Pittosporum tom thumb and for a low maintenance ground cover I also think Ajuga is a good option.

Happy gardening!

BobTheGardener

Euonymus are a good low-maintenance shrub which will grow just about anywhere and many only grow to 1m x 1m (eg Euonymus fortunei or E. japonica cultivars) and pretty much stay there. 

cmarkr

Sorbaria sorbifolia 'Sem' would fit well and no maintenance other than occasional suckers, lovely leaf colour and ash like leaf shape

Athelas

Agree with Pittosporum 'Tom Thumb' (evergreen), and also suggest Choisya x dewitteana 'White Dazzler' (evergreen) or Physocarpus opulifolius 'Little Angel' (deciduous)

Uff

How about a Leucothoe Scarletta lovely colour to brighten the front of the border?