Miniature tree please

[MissBoPeep]

I am replanting my tiny front garden which faces north so rarely has much sun. I'd like to replace a large conifer with something prettier. Ideally evergreen but doesn't have to be. Maximum height around 8 feet. Looking perhaps at a weeping catkin, or even perhaps a standard bay or box in a pot- but open to suggestions. The toal area is about 8 ft by 8 ft with a minute lawn in the middle and the shrub or tree will be a boundary with a neighbour.

Flowering cherry? Crab apple (malus)? They're not evergreen but they do offer something for every season.

Both of those could otentially get much bigger than 8 feet, but you could limit their growth by growing them in a (very big) pot.

Should know but struggling to think of evergreen - I love the birch (Betula jackmonteii) or one of the rowans (sorbus) which has great winter berries. If your thinking of a large shrub ceonothus skylark is a glorious blue or pittosporum Elizabeth is a beautiful variegated shrub...

Amelanchier Lamarckii is a fab small tree/large shrub, not evergreen but lovely autumn colour and pretty white flowers.

not evergreen, but \link{http://www.crocus.co.uk/plants/_/trees/other-trees/deciduous/small-garden-trees/ok-for-small-gardens/classid.89/\this acer} has different-but-beautiful foliage all the time from spring (palest green) to autumn (shades of orange/red depending on weather) & doesn't get too huge

we have one like this which is 20+ years old, growing in a raised bed which is kind of like a pot - although the roots have been able to get beyond - & its total height is only around 12' I think. (the only linked says height 2m, so is prob a different variety, but there are lots)

it's a beautiful shape too & it is just divine

(ours is in a corner with walls where it was sheltered from E & N winds while it was little. they don't like it too cold)

\link{http://www.crocus.co.uk/plants/_/shrubs/ceanothus-thyrsiflorus-skylark/classid.728/\ceanothus Skylark} mentioned by daisydee could be ideal (although it's only 1.5m high according to this)

there are other varieties which are taller but

a) it is evergreen &
b) the blue flowers are amazing