Suggestions needed for short

I don't understand the bit about only two plants Jonathan. I would definitely recommend Yew (Taxus) or alternatively Box (Buxus).Both respond well to clipping.

It is to be the world's shortest ever hedge, just two hedge plants long! Well I don't believe in long hedges. Just think of all the harm they do. Not even burgulars can escape properly. I know what I'm doing I tell you.

Try pyracantha or chaenomeles

I think those would be a bit big. I wish to attain to a maximum height of less than a metre only, small and compact.

Euonymus microphyllus - there's two variegated ones, one tinged cream, one tinged yellow. They tolerate shade pretty well - but not if it's deep, dark shade - but then nothing much tolerates that well.

The rule of thumb on hedge plant spacing: as far apart as 1/2 the planned height. So you may need more than two plants for the hedge. They can be spaced farther apart, but they will need more time to fill in.

I've thought about Euonymous Bamboo, but can they be trimmed to an angular rectangle type of shape like other evergreen hedging? If it can it might make quite a good choice. I've only ever seen them grown as bushes. The shade is quite deep, but Sarcoccoca is thriving there and so is some holly.

I like the idea of growing yew, if it is suitable sizewise.

We keep a hedge of pyracantha to only a little higher than 1m and it prunes beautifully. We have a lot of different chaenomeles and they too are very suitable for training to a height and keeping it at that size. Both can also be trained to the width of hedge you want.

That is very interesting scotsgran. Thank you for that.

Yes, you can clip them to shape, Jonathan, though you're right, most people just let them grow naturally as small evergreen shrubs, but they will make a decent little hedge.