gardening for 2009

Hi

The gardening has started in Cambridgeshire, the weeds are growing like mad, the soil must be warming up. I have dug up one of my flower beds, and re-set with some shrubs, hoping for less maintenance, more year round interest. Any ideas for plants about 12 "" or 32 cm tall for year round attractiveness would be helpful.

Reminder, please don't forget to wear your gardening gloves to try and avoid the prickly plants that are out to get you.

Jean.