> Is there anything that fruits which will stay essentially only a couple feet tall?
Melons for example, Strawberries (need water)... for hot and dry exposures there is Arachis also
None of them are bushes of course, but you don't need to put limits to your work. Cucurbitaceae or Solanaceae (Solanum, Physalis) can made very versatile subshrubs
full sun or shadowed area?