Help getting started... Shrubs/trees?

[GardenMusings]

Hello!

We have a very neglected garden that we want to get a handle on. We're low income so can't landscape etc but can do some. Planting

1 The fence between us and next door. The far half gets full sun morning and afternoon and begins to go later. The near half is in shade until about 1.

We're end terrace. What can I plant to make the garden feel less sparse. All year round shrubs? Maybe something taller towards the back so we can't see all along the terraces /but not too wide as its a small garden?!

2 This is the back of our garden. This gets sun morning and afternoon and shade early evening.

I was thinking of something like a large shruv/small tree in the corner maybe?

We have 2 apple trees but it's bare most of the year so they could go or we could plant round them. Would love idea.

Sandy/loamy/clay soil and acidic. South Coast.

Thankyou so much. We don't know where to start but thought making it more green (evergreens) would help and then I could add flowers??

Oops pictures.

Camelias and rhododendrons do well in acidic soil and are evergreen, but do check sizes as some of them can grow very large. They would prefer the shadier side.

Choisiya ternata is also evergreen and has lovely smelling flowers, stays reasonably small and is fairly slow growing.

How about a smoke bush (cotinus coggyria, I like Flame or Grace best for their very bright spring and autumn colour) in the corner? They can grow fairly large and will cope with a lot of sun. There are also a purple leaved all year round variety (royal purple, I think) and a lime yellow one, but they are much less vigorous.