Lots of native options with year-round interest:
http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/382399.page#5101552

Anonymous wrote:Something like a Japanese Holly, dwarf variegated euonymus or any small shrub with mounding habits would look nice.

euonymus is invasive.

We replaced some thorny bushes with Otto Luyken laurel bushes. I think they look nice, are green year-round and easy to maintain.

They look like this:

http://www.wilsonbroslandscape.com/ShrubFileLaurelOttoLuyken.htm

we had azaleas but the shade killed them so now we have weeds. Ironically, the city cut down the tree that was shading the azaleas...

Something like a Japanese Holly, dwarf variegated euonymus or any small shrub with mounding habits would look nice.

Anonymous wrote:I love hydrangeas--but they are only green in the summer. I have one by my front door--but you need something green all year, as well.

I would not consider Hydraneas for front of the house... but still better than lettuce and string beans suggested by PP.

Azaleas.

Hydrangeas. I think the dried flowers and sticks look nice and give my house winter interest. Same goes for grasses. They look beautiful in the winter.

lettuce, string beans, and some bushes

Lavender and asparagus

Not shit

I have this planted by the front door...the hummingbirds love it.

Lots of azaleas do well all year. If you have the right exposure, they are pretty easy.

I love hydrangeas--but they are only green in the summer. I have one by my front door--but you need something green all year, as well.

We had some sad, mostly-dead boxwoods that we've recently pulled up, on either side of the front door. I don't really want to put new boxwoods in, but can understand the appeal of something that looks decent in all seasons. But what else can go out there? This is for a pretty basic Cape Cod in the DC area, with other evergreen shrubs around. Hydrangeas?