Itea is a great shrub with multiple seasons of interest, and lots of versatility in the garden. 

Itea

Fragrant white flowers hang from its branches in early summer to attract butterflies.  Its leaves turn a brilliant red in the fall.

It is deer resistant, and once established it will be drought tolerant. 

Plant in sun or shade.

Groundcover

Groundcover is a very loose term in horticulture. Certainly, low-growing spreading plants are groundcovers but so are clumping non-spreading plants that look nice when grown en-masse. Here are a couple of the groundcovers we like to use: Rozanne Geraniums and Pachysandra. are non-spreading clumping groundcovers.

Rozanne Geranium is a non-spreading, clumping groundcover. It prefers some part afternoon shade. Plants usually bloom in late spring and into the fall. They make great garden border plants and spreadi about 2-3 feet and rising only about a foot. They look fantastic in any garden setting.

Pachysandra is a shrubby, evergreen groundcover which grows 8-12 inches tall and spreads by rhizomes to form a dense carpet of rich, dark green foliage. It is an extremely popular groundcover for a variety of shady locations in the landscape including areas under trees, foundations, around shrubs or along walkways.

English Gardens stores carry a variety of groundcovers for sun or shade. Talk wtih an associate for recommendations for your specific area.