It would be helpful if you mentioned where you are. What zone, proximity to the coast, etc. Also, you mention that you don't like "evergreens" (which rules out a lot of options) and that you love hydrangeas but they aren't a great sight in summer. I'm not really sure what displeases you because they are generally in full bloom in summer. It would be helpful to know what type of things you like in a shrub, such as height and width, blooming or not, bloom season, bloom color, fall foliage color, etc. So if you have a little more information to offer, I am sure the nice folks here will be able to make some worthwhile suggestions. Good luck in your new home.

I live in Massachusetts approximately 5 miles from the ocean. I live next to a state forest and surrounded by cranberry bogs. I have full sun on the front of the house.

I apologize, I like hydrangeas but in the winter they are barron.

I am not a huge fan of evergreens, I guess I don't love the normal basic shrub look. I like some color even if it's only white. I am not sure if any evergreens flower at all? I am 100% new to gardening and not great at any of it.

I have a center entrance colonial with stairs in the middle and 16 feet of house on both sides. I have a Japanese maple on one side I love and driveway on the other.

My shrubs have been ripped out. I like yellow, whites, oranges, green, some pinks are fine. I like basic. I do need some small and some with height. I was thinking some sort of shrub and beach grass behind it.

Honestly any advice is welcome.

If you like Hydrangeas, consider Hydrangea paniculata cultivars. They come in a range of blossom sizes and shapes, and the shrubs range from 3' or 4' to 8'tall and 12' wide. In New England they are fine in full sun - I have a couple that get more than 10 hours of sun in midsummer, and they bloom starting in early to late July and continue until frost. There are other kinds of hydrangeas that look good in summer, but they won't like the full sun aspect.

Adding a photo of the area you are planning will help so suggestions can be tailored to your location and special needs such as plant size. Where windows are, how tall the house is, how much space you have is all easier to see in a photo.

Other things to consider - if you have no evergreens, you will either want to have plants with interesting bark and branching or you have a truly boring yard for 5 months of the year. A few evergreens, either broadleafed like rhododendrons and mountain laurel, or conifers in conjunction with flowering plants can make the garden something to enjoy year-round.

If there is still outdoor work such as roofing and painting to be done on the house, it's best to wait until that work has been done before planting since that can cause a fair amount damage that new plants find it more difficult to recover from.

If you want to add your zone and location info so it will post by your name and we won't have to ask, here's how:

Go to Your Houzz in the upper right of every page, click Edit Profile, and on the left side click advanced settings. Well down the advanced settings page is a blank labeled Climate Zone for Garden Forums along with a link to find your zone.

If you add info on your state or the nearest large city you will get even better information since zone only relates to average coldest winter temperatures.

Then return to the top of the page and click Done Editing.

Great ty

You've been given great advice by Bill and NHBabs. I definitely agree that you should you post some photos. Take pictures from the street and then closer to the front. These should show the whole yard as well as the house and foundation area.

Their advice to select plantings that will make your front yard something to enjoy year-round is very crucial here in New England. You say you don't like evergreens, but these are often mainstays because putting in just a few of them can provide structure to the garden in all four seasons.

Have you ever been to Katsura Gardens in Plymouth? The link I've included shows their selection of conifers, which I like because of the variety of colors, shapes, textures, and growth habits. Katsura also has so many other plants. Visiting nurseries with extensive plant collections is a great way to get ideas.