I'm now minded to take out a philadelphus that has never been very satisfactory - no scent, short-flowering, gets blackfly, needs endless pruning but still looks a mess etc, etc, and replace it with something a bit more interesting. As it is quite strategically located in a deep bed where the path curves out I thought an evergreen would be good for providing year-round substance and a sense of mystery as you wouldn't see beyond it as you walk down the path.

I'm open to persuasion as this bit of the path isn't really visible from the house in winter anyway, so a really stunning deciduous plant or even a HP with wow factor might also do. The shrub needs to be controllable to about 4' high and wide as my garden is small - but perfectly formed ;-). Also it would be planted under a large lilac tree quite near a N facing fence and hence can get very dry and shady in summer.