Hello

Here is a list of alternatives to boxwoods for part-shade:

Yew, Holly, Inkberry, Bayberry.

https://cals.cornell.edu/new-york-state-integrated-pest-management/outreach-education/fact-sheets/box-tree-moth/alternatives-boxwood

If you have full sun, cultivars of Juniperus such as ‘Grey Owl’ or ‘Blue Star’; Chamaecyparis such as ‘Dwarf Hinoki’ or ‘Mops’;

and spruce such as Picea Abies ‘Elegans’, Picea Abies 'Little Gem' can be used.

You can use this Plant Finder to look,up various shrubs, here are some examples,

https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=d650

https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=252783

Match your choices to your soil and sunlight conditions. There are many cultivars that have small or medium mature sizes. In the article I would avoid plum yew shrub in South East Michigan, since we can sometimes have “polar events“ which may drop the temperature well below average.

We do recommend planting a variety of shrubs so that no new disease or insect is likely to wipe out your total planting. If you are open to planting some deciduous native shrubs, here is a list to consider:

https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/native_plants_for_michigan_landscapes_shrubs

I am including the “Tree Owner’s Manual” that shows how to plant and care for new trees/shrubs. The techniques of planting depth, watering, mulching and care apply to shrubs as well as trees:

https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5368392.pdf