ideas for a sort of shrubby hedge please

[HazyShadeOfWinter]

We have a small raised bed in front garden, currently planted with a few small flowers and some spikey plants like this.

They are getting big and bit odd looking, so would like to replace them. It's a north-east facing space, right by a very main road so we do need something that gives a bit of privacy but not too dense as it would then make some of our rooms quite dark. Doesn't need to be very tall, maybe two or three feet.

Does need to be easy, as I am a very novice gardener. We're in London so soil is clay-ey, though in this bed it's not too bad drainage wise because of the raise and I think that it has a lot of rubble underneath

Was thinking lavender at one point, but not sure if it's sunny enough. But something like that, a shrub hedge rather than tree hedge, would be great.

Also love hollyhocks and geums but not sure how they would work in the urban setting.

Any advice much appreciated!

The trouble with lavender is that it can look quite sad for a large part of the year.

Have you considered Rosa Rugosa? The pink is generally said to be tougher but for your situation it's possible that

this

might be better. Not at all hard to grow and has beautiful hips in autumn.

Thanks Zero, I had come across that in another thread and like the idea of flowers and hips, just worried it might be too dense.

Agreed, lavender would look sad and possibly scraggly for much of year.

Will do some more google imaging of Rosa Rogusa, thanks

Hornbeam is nice. Thick leafy green hedge in summer, then keeps hold of it's leaves in winter to become a lovely golden brown hedge.

Cotoneaster?
There are lots of varieties, so you should be able to find one to suit you. Our's is growing on Essex clay. It keeps it leaves all year and has lovely berries all winter (which the birds love).