Looking good??

We're hoping to sell up soon and move south - but we have two patches of ground about 10ft x 10ft each either side the front door, which are looking pretty sorry for themselves. They're west facing, quite light soil.
I'd really welcome any advice on cheering them up - and the sooner we can start on them the better! Is there anything we can do now? and what would you recommend for the best show?
Many thanks

 

huechera electra ... evergreen:


huechera georgia peach ... evergreen


Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola' on the front edging ... deciduous


brunnera jack frost ... deciduous


best time to plant these are in a few weeks time when the weather warms ... if there is still space, add a few hardy evergreen ferns

 

Excellent recommendations from*Dim*. Might cost you a bit, though.

 

Pansies are colourful and planted in flower at this time of year. They will last into the Summer.
Snowdrops are bought in the green for instant visibility.
Coloured gravel will tidy things up quickly.

Cost a few quid though. Any chance of transposing from the back - or from friends' gardens. Most people have a few extra plants somewhere.Just ask.

 

huecheras cost under a fiver each on ebay

the hackonechloa grass cost under a fiver on ebay

ferns on ebay cost approx £7 each

brunnera jack frost on ebay cost under a fiver each

so, they are very reasonably priced

 

Thank you for the suggestions - I'm often lurking on Ebay so I'll check them out.
Like the quote from Frank Zappa too!