Please suggest a flowering shrub for me

One of the beds in front of my house is pretty small...I think it's about 9'x3'. I totally redid the landscaping around my house and in this bed I put a compact holly on each end with a knock out rose in the middle. The KO rose only blooms once in a blue moon and when it does, it's very pathetic (as in I only ever see a couple of shriveled up petals when it blooms). I suspect that it doesn't get enough sun. I thought KO roses were shade tolerant and thought it would be okay to plant one there. But what do I know...I'm fairly new to gardening. Can you tell?

The KO rose was planted a little over a month ago. I plan to replace this fall if it doesn't work out.

I am in zone 7B, the front of the house faces south, and only gets a few hours of morning sun. For the rest of the day, that spot is shady. I am looking for a flowering shrub that likes mostly shade, preferably evergreen, and that only gets around 3-4 feet wide. Height doesn't matter that much, it just can't be too wide or it'll cover up the walkway to my front door.

Either that or tell me what I'm doing wrong to the rose :)

Thanks!

If it was just planted about a month ago I wouldn't worry about it yet--plants will always take some time to get their roots going before they do much growing or blooming, so the fact that it's not blooming well right now is not at all surprising. Especially if your weather's been hot...planting can be a stressful experience and hot weather makes it that much worse. I've never grown Knockouts so I don't know how much shade they can take, but even if you had it planted in a sunnier location I wouldn't expect to see much blooming yet.

I think KO roses bloom best with at least 5-6 hours of sun. You might want to relocate it. You didn't say when you want flowers on your shrub. Azaleas bloom in the early spring and take low light. Hydrangeas bloom in the summer months. A camellia would bloom in the late fall/winter, depending on variety. All of these are good choices depending on what you want to do. Over time you may need to prune an azalea or hydrangea back, but not for a few years.

Daphne?

Daphne Carol Mackie (flowers are very fragrant) or Daphne Auromarginata?

Here are two links regarding KO roses that might be helpful to you.

I have roses at the front of my house, which faces South and they basically get full sun all day --I am an hour South of you and border 7a/7b zone.

Should you find the KO rose needs to be transplanted to a more sunny location azaleas or hydrangea would be a good choice and keep them pruned if need be.

Maybe filling the space between your holly with one or two of your favorite perennials or annuals that re-seed would be satisfying.

I would suggest the rose needs more water right now, even though there is not a lot of sun on that area, the warm / hot weather causes what moisture there is to evaporate.
IF you are going to dig the rose up, do it now while there are no new roots in place.
To transplant the rose, dig it up, stick it into a bucket of water to give the roots a good drink, leave it for about an hour while you ready the new planting hole, add some rose fertiliser to the new planting soil (read the directions on the plant food packet) too much is worse than not enough.
Make sure the plant is firmed into the soil, IF there are broken or dead roots just prune them off as you plant, firming the plant is by lightly treading with your toes around the plant hole, this removes any air pockets, I would prune off some of the roses foliage and FLOWER BUDS, this will stop the Rose from using energy on flowering and it will make new roots. Make sure you give it plenty water for several weeks, stick your finger into the soil to test how dry it is.
As for what to plant in the front bed, go to the garden center and look at all the GOOD plants they have, pick them up and place them beside a holly to see how they look before you decide.
Some of the plants suggested above require a slight acidic soil and may not suit your conditions so, ask at the garden center if what you choose will grow in your area. Do remember your little Hollies right now will grow more and wider so take all that into account. good luck. WeeNel.

WeeNel those are good instructions on moving a shrub.

Lady - A talk with a good local nursery will help you with some ideas on what to use. The local extension office (usually associated with a state university) should have some publications on shade plants that work well in the area. They should also know if there is acidic or alkali soil.

I have a friend that grows a Rose of Sharon as a shrub just cut it short at the end of the season. It was pretty neat.