What are my options for the best shrubs when planting close to a foundation?

Question

Something lower to the ground and will spread out a bit. No higher then 4 feet and no wider then 4 feet when fully matured.

(planted within about 2 to 2 1/2 feet of the foundation.)

Answer 1

I would recommend planting something with shallow-ish root system.  So the roots don't go deep and start to try to grow into the foundation.  

Being partial to spring-time flowers, my first choice for the site you describe would be Azalea.  They come in a wide variety of colors and lots of varieties....some adaptable to the hot south, some to the frigid north.

Answer 2

We were advised by several contractors not to plant any kind of tree or shrubbery near the foundation/basement as the root systems grew in an around the foundation and creates major headaches.  

What we did was made  a raised flower bed and put all sorts of pereniels in it.  We saved the shrubbery for near the road/street and up the property lines.  It's really awesome this way.