[starry]

Hi I only have a few requrements I would like it to be evergreen, flowers that bees and butterflies are attracted to and no more than about 8" high I dont have much oppotunities to wander around garden centers as my beloved treats it as a sas mission in and out as quickly as possible !!   

[mobilekat]

How big an area would you like it to cover?

Many of the Buddleia's are great, and with pruning will easily obey the 8 foot rule- but will get bigger if let free!

Do you have a preferred colour for the flower?
Do you have a preferred leaf colour/type?

We have a variegated Holly, that the bees love- the flowers are very discrete though, but the birds then love the berries.
Or Cotoneasters are popular, as they flower early, and the more you prune them they happier they seem to be!

[sunshineband]

I think the OP was for 8 inches, not feet

[arugula]

I would also suggest cotoneaster.

[mobilekat]

Whoops- must get eyes tested

Cotoneaster still works though, as the horizontal ones are great! And with a bit of a trim the bush ones will do what ever you tell them!

Depends on how much pruning you want to do otherwise!!!

But it would still be good to know if there are any preferred colours of flowers, and of leaves to narrow down suggestions!

[arugula]

Cotoneaster still works though,

But of course.

[sunshineband]

Small leaved hebes would be good, and they are naturally dwarf

[starry]

not worried about flower colour, hebes I love and had before, but they grew quite big and lost their shape I am only looking to fill a space approx 4' square  cotton easter has berries and I have grandchildren so a bit concered about that !! (sigh) I knew it wasnt going to be easy I guess I want something that can probably look ater its self 

[mobilekat]

I would suggest a low growing Rosemary- have pretty flowers (which the bees love) , can be eaten and no berries.
Or Lavender?

I love pinks, and the bees seem to love them, they do remain green all year, and pretty flowers too!

I would think towards herbs, as you 'borrowing bits' for the kitchen will keep them in trim, and you know they are safe to eat too!

[starry]

I would suggest a low growing Rosemary- have pretty flowers (which the bees love) , can be eaten and no berries.
Or Lavender?

I love pinks, and the bees seem to love them, they do remain green all year, and pretty flowers too!

I would think towards herbs, as you 'borrowing bits' for the kitchen will keep them in trim, and you know they are safe to eat too!

I think your probably right will probably get a couple of sage may be some chive, and have found a plant called bee balm but I think it might be a bit tall (tall would look a bit odd where I want it to go ) thanks everyone for your suggestions

[Goosegirl]

Lavender, thyme, marjoram, cotton lavender - all can be trimmed to height, as can some dwarf hebes which suits these plants and stops them getting too high and straggly.

[allotmentann]

Violas make lovely low growing ground cover, stay green all winter (and are edible should little mouths decide to sample them!).