Mouldy's Profile

In my mid 50's & a rank novice at gardening.
It's my intention to try out a variety of plants and colours.
I've been given an area approx 22mtrs x 0.5mtrs in an 'L' shape (turned 180° clockwise) in a back court of a tenement building in Glasgow.
One leg is south-facing, the other west.
'Course, I'll be the brawn and the rest of you can provide the brains and my wee garden will have the looks. LOL.
I want it to be something that brightens up my neighbours & looks less gloomy than standard.