Any suggestions?

Hi, I'm new to the Board and do hope you may have some interesting ideas for me!

Have just removed two ugly conifers from beds either side of my front door and am trying to decide what to replace them with.

The beds are about 3x5 foot, set into a patio - so with a bit of work the soil can be whatever is needed (whereas the rest of the garden is Bedfordshire clay - ideal for bricks!). The aspect is north east and gets good morning sun but is usually in shade by midday. A little prone to frost in the winter but reasonably sheltered

The plants will be seen against a mellow brick wall. Although the conifers were several meters high I am thinking of putting in something lower level - maybe about a meter high. All year interest would be ideal as in such a prominent position by the front door.

Any ideas?

 

euonimus, pyracantha, cotoniaster (broad leaved one - can't remember name) holly, Loads of bulbs (shade lovers) anenome ..........er ?? need to think.
hellibore

Hello barndweller, just thinking aloud for you
Janet

 

Variegate holly - one male one female on either side would work (easily pruned too) - underplanted with snowdrops and rock narcissus

 

Hi, there, Barndweller - welcome!
If you've taken conifers out, the soils will be very dry and dusty, I presume? It'll need organic matter dug in, for sure, whatever you plant. I presume there is enough depth of soil to grow whatever you want?

Are you thinking of a formal entrance way by the front door, or would you prefer something less formal? If you're after formal, Fran's suggestion would look good, as would bay trees, or any topiary-style evergreen - whatever shape you want. If you prefer less formal all WAco's suggestions would work, in different ways. Pyracantha has great berries, nasty thorns, and is perfect for enouraging birds, as is the cotoneaster (maybe lacteus, Waco?)
If you have a look on the plant selector on http://www.rhs.org.uk, and fill in as many details as you like about the aspect, soil, wtc, nad type of plant you want, it'll give you some idea. Good luck, :D