If you like dark leaves, Ophiopogon is a lovely dark, low-growing ornamental grass . . . would look good with pink verbena, and/or white verbena which are long-flowering.

Thanks for the suggestions but we really want colour all year round. I think Ophiopogon (I have some in the back) will be too dark for our small space. I do like Hakonlechoa grass but I don't think it will like being at risk from frost.

Well a word about your rockery idea - you've said the area's small and north facing. Usually, north facing areas don't get sun in winter if your house isn't single storey, and if that's the case, a rockery with alpine plants is not a good idea - they're better off with sun year round (assuming there's any available).

Hakonlechloa disappears in the winter anyway, unfortunately, but how long and wide is this border you're thinking about creating going to be?

what about Carex evergold for the edging, its perennial. I have had it with black grass in the past.

IT is possible to put small bulbs under ophiopogon that will add colour at different times of the year - snowdrops, miniature daffs, chinodoxa, small tulips, allium moly

If you want impact you might consider going for one bigger area rather than two small ones.Be bold! Its not easy to get impact from a very small rockery. For year round colour how about a variegated evergreen shrub that can be kept to the size you want? (I am getting embarrassed about recommending euonymus fortunii on here but am unrepentant because it is so cheerful and so useful.)There there are also Brunneras, with lovely silver and green leaves, and blue flowers in spring. You could use some bedding begonias for summer as they are happy in shade. Try not to use a bit of everything, although it is so tempting, but I think you said the other day that you wanted it to look impressive. Have a look at Long Acre Plants website for ideas as they specialise in plants for shade . And remember not all bulbs need sun.

Thanks for all the replies. Plenty to mull over there.

I've added a few pictures of the front garden so you can see what we're trying to work with.

Rockery plants generally need lots of sun, so I don't think that would work.

It's hard to know what to suggest as I don't know what type of planting you prefer. For no or low maintenance I personally would keep it very simple and use mainly evergreens - maybe Pachysandra, Euonymus fortuneii (Emerald 'n' Gold, Silver Queen), Sarcococca for winter scent, and so on. You could then add whatever shade-loving perennials and bulbs take your fancy, if any.

I wouldn't just edge-plant, though - I would make a statement with a large shaped bed. Not square or round, but something really interesting. You have a blank canvas, so get creative and have fun with it. :)

Thanks for the extra photos. How far does your part go - all the way to the next drive or just to the inspection cover? In any case perhaps do some sketches of a bed shape that would unify the whole area and make it look like yours even if it isn't, so you get a balanced whole?

I'm biased but I would put some hostas in along the drive way - mixed in with ophiopogon (as above), other ornamental grasses and maybe some hellebores. The grasses would give all year structure but the hostas and hellebores would add an extra touch in their seasons - plus lots of white or yellow flowered spring bulbs. You could also plant crocuses and/or narcissi into the lawn for a bit of Spring colour.

I'd avoid having too many colours - keep it simple for best effect.

And double check your house deeds to make sure that you're allowed to plant up in the front - modern housing developments often have clauses against simple things like that.

Well, I'm getting a wealth of ideas so thank you all. Can't see any work being done on it for a while though. When it's done I'll post some pictures - if I remember!

I see that some responders have suggested ornamental grasses. Bear in mind that most grasses prefer sunny locations, so do some research to find out which varieties will be happy in shade. :)

I love Seaburn's suggestion of Carex Evergold interspersed with Ophiopogon nigrescens, it'll look fab year round, very striking, if you're sticking to just a border on the edge and something in the middle of the lawn. Ophiopogon does prefer as much sun as possible, but should cope well because of full sun in summer - the Carex won't care about shade at all, and I've found it does surprisingly well in quite a sunny spot, provided its not left in drought.

I'm growing ophiopogon quite happily in two spots of heavy shade - one moist, the other bone dry.
Long Acre Plants are listing liriope spicata 'Gin-ryu' with variegated leaves which would look good with ophiopogon. For foliage contrast, you could add a couple of hostas or bergenias.
Whatever you do, consider putting a sarcococca near the front door - the scent in February is a knock-out.

I've got that Liriope, or one very similar with an oriental name which I've lost the tag for and can't remember now, Andrewr, love it and with Ophiopogon too - but it doesn't like to dry out and it seems to prefer half a day's shade in summer I find. Seems to be doing much better in a client's garden, in half shade, where its damp, than it is out on my full sun balcony...

As I like grasses I'm coming round to the idea of a nice bright one like Carex interspersed with something that will contrast. Ophiopogon is an option but I shall wonder round the nurseries and see what's available before I decide. I'm also now thinking that maybe a curved plot on the corner might look good. We have quite a collection of nice yellow rocks and it would be a shame to waste them. Disposing of them might be a problem too. I've seen a few small gardens round here that have gone for the small rockery option and they look nice but maybe I'll just go for the curve corner - or not. Needs a lot more thought and visualization.

I appreciate all the suggestions though.

A curved corner would look very nice - best make it quite big rather than a tiddly little one - make a "statement" as they say on the fashion pages!

Yes, a curved corner is a very good idea, especially as a 'statement' as Stera says.