I'd choose a Berberis - B. darwinii, or Berberis Red Chief or Berberis ottawensis - the latter two are deciduous, with red/wine coloured leaves.

Or Eleagnus Fortunii might do.

Many thanks! I will look at all your suggestions

I would have to say Daphene for the stunning perfume.

Daphne odora ‘Aureomarginata’ grows to approx 1.5 metres with a similar spread.

I'd add a note of caution over berberis - in my experience, they are not happy with hot and dry sites in summer, often shedding their leaves prematurely

Not been my experience Andrewr - but then we do have clay soil here in London, which might make a difference I suppose, even though it gets hot and dry.

I have also had trouble with the smaller fastigiate berberis not tolerating dry ground but would guess the bigger ones would have deeper roots and not be so touchy?

Come to think of it, I have noticed the Berberis Bagatelle, which is a dwarf, doesn't cope so well with really dry periods.

My experience was with "Helmond's Pillar" which lost its leaves in August most years

I'd go for a Cistus - I find they're evergreen and cope well with hot dry sites, once established. Only a short flowering season - and a short -lived shrub, but the flowers are so pretty.

Cistus is lovely - but certainly won't make the size mentioned in the question, usually only making 3 feet high max.
I suspect the dark leaved forms of Berberis are possibly less drought resistant - I certainly have never had a problem in dry soils with B. darwinii, once established.