Front garden ideas?

Hi all,
Over the bank holiday weekend I decided to rip out a shrub that had grew through the fencing and into other shrubs. Finally after cutting it back and getting the root out I replaced all the fencing as the shrub had demolished a couple of panels and they all were rotten too. Just by doing this has made the garden look nicer. I still need to paint the panels, posts and gravel boards.
Most front gardens I see seem to have shrub borders rather than flower beds. I like this layout and would like my garden to be like this. My problem is I have no knowledge of shrubs. I like the look of different colours and sizes planted together. Could anybody advise me with any types of shrubs that work well together that would work well in a front garden. Please don't say conifers I have a problem with them in the back garden, well the neighbours back garden, but that's another story.
Many thanks.

 

What kind of soil do you have? Is the front garden full sun, part sun or shade?

 

Hi Charliebot, thanks for replying.
I don't really know what sort of soil I have. It just seems like grey dust and bricks. I think I will need to dig the borders out and put new soil in and manure to give it a fighting chance.
The front garden gets plenty of sun.

 

Ok I would remove big rocks and dig in well rotted manure. Deal with any weeds too, especially couch grass, bindweed, mares tail or ground elder if you have them.
Some of my favourite shrubs are:
Dogwood/Cornus. Midwinter fire is a great one.
Hydrangeas- so many to choose from.
Rhodedendrons if your soil suits (have your neighbours got any?)
Hebes. Midnight is an interesting one.
Forsythia- bit common but very tough and great late winter/early spring colour.
Weigla- repeat flowers for me after a deadhead type trim.

 

Thanks for replying Charliebot.
I shall have a look at those shrubs you mentioned.