I've just moved house and find myself with a large well established
rear garden but the front plot is a real mess , so I'm going to clear
it all out and replant, I'm pretty hopeless with selection of plants so
I need some help from the more learned.

The area is a plot of 4m wide x 2.5m deep , its on the north side of
the house but is pretty much unshaded by all, the soil is fairly well
drained.

I'm looking for shrubs at the back and perhaps something more
colourfull towards the front, Ideally I would like a low maintainance
garden, I had intended to fill the gaps with gravel or bark. The plot
is near the road side so I dont want towering plants, I think a max of
3-4feet..

I would appreciate any help or advice, please forgive my nievity.
... Tony