dwarf boxwoods

I live in zone 9B and am trying to decide which type of boxwood would be best. I have a squarish raised planter smack dab in the center of the front of my yard, so it's pretty much the focal point. It's about 2' tall, has a relatively narrow soil area surrounding it (about 18" in places) and that area is surrounded with some hardscape. Not a large area to work with. I need a boxwood that is compact and can be sheared easily.
I've heard green gem might work, but some things I've read says they will get to be 3-4' tall. Isn't there a type of korean box that is more compact?
Any suggestions would be most welcome.

I like escallonia compakta. It's supposed to be 3X3 but I've kept mine to two feet easily. It's even broken and come back from the center.

Thanks Doss, that's a great suggestion and flowers, too! It's such a short planter and I don't want to be trimming every couple of months.

One of the best things about it is that you can prune it branch by branch so it doesn't look like a box hedge. Of course if you want it to look like a box it will do that too.

The picture is lovely. Is that your yard? I love the way the escallonia has such a soft look. What kind of tree is that in the center of the picture?

Yes, it's my yard. The tree is a weeping crabapple tree. It's beautiful in the spring and holds it's tiny crabapples all winter. And best of all, it doesn't get any taller than that. It takes more care and time to keep the escallonia soft like that because you have to go branch by branch but I think that it's worth it. I'm just about to attack it again this year.

Mombird,
I was just at the nursery and found pittosporum tennifolium or "Golf Ball Kohuhu". It makes a 2X2 ball all by itself but I'm afraid that it was a little pricey. It's a Monrovia intro.
http://www.monrovia.com/PlantInf.nsf/709359cd399269ec8825684d0078b8fd/12b95f469c30eed888256e8c00787afd!OpenDocument

It does say part shade in warmer climates though.

Thanks Doss, I appreciate your suggestions. I did go to the link from Monrovia and those are great little shrubs. I like the soft color. But of course everything we like is expensive, right? The champagne appetite and beer budget thing!
I have just planted (or should I say DH) a tabebuia IP in the center of the planter I mentioned. Unfortunately, we don't have much space (your typical small lot) and I just LOVE plants! All kinds of plants! I have to keep telling myself to keep things simple and repeat just a few plants. But I'm trying to plant easy perennials that will bloom on and off most of the year.
BTW, your weeping crabapple is gorgeous! Beautiful yard!

How fun to be planning a new garden. I looked up the tabebuia and couldn't figure out which one it us, Their siize varies widely and so does their color. I understand your problem. I'm a plant collector and so my garden is chaos. If I were to 'landscape' it sure would be a lot more organized. That's a good thing about a small hedge though. It can contain chaos and make it look more purposeful.

My favorite perennial (if I had to coose one) is limonium perezii. It's evergreen, blooms all year and has a fabulous leaf shape. The flowers dry well too.
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/57222/