Plants for a complete novice

[teaandbiscuitsforme]

I have just dug over a small bed outside my front door - my first gardening accomplishment. (Just to illustrate how incompetent I am!!)

I think I am looking for a couple of plants/shrubs but I have absolutely no idea what! The bed is about 1m by 1m and it gets quite a lot of sun throughout the day. I'd like something that suits a modern house and is quite contained and won't spread too much. It could take a little bit of height but as it's near the door I don't want anything that will take over. Obviously low maintenance as beyond a bit of weeding and watering when necessary I really don't know where to start with plant care!

Can anybody make any recommendations? Thanks!

I'm rubbish too. I planted a viola plant last year and it survived I have also found lavender quite easy, and roses.

If you want low maintenance, then euonymus is a great plant. It comes in lots of varieties and is slow growing and is evergreen Lots of different varieties planted together can form a hedge or be trimmed to show their individuality.

Or you could try some cordyline or clump forming grasses.It depends what loom you're going for

How about a choisya (Mexican orange)? Lovely coloured leaves, pretty white flowers, compact, easy to maintain.

Thank you all so far! Off to do some googling...

Oh yes lavender is easy, good for the bees, smells nice and very low maintenance.

Fuschia, Bowles mauve, lavender, rosemary are super easy and hebes too. X