I am looking for some bushes to plant on the side of my house (western exposure) in the Chicagoland area. I don't want the plant to be much taller than the height of a gas meter since I don't want to cover up the windows.

I previously had dogwood on the side of the house and they were very hard to maintain. I would like something which does not grow so aggressively.

I would like it to be some kind of bush which is low maintenance (not too much trimming and not too much watering).

I am trying to cover up the gas meter and the window well. Any recommendations would be appreciated.