Improve the soil as much as you are able with compost and well rotted manure. If you use mushroom compost test the soil before planting as this can be very alkaline.

You don't say if it is a sunny situation or not but these shrubs will do well almost anywhere.

Sarcococca confusa - common name winter box - is a small dark evergreen shrub that has winter flowers with a very strong perfume.

Nandina domestica - heavenly bamboo - also hold it's leaves during winter and gives lovely late summer colour.

Philadelphus 'Manteau d'Hermine' is a dwarf form of the mock orange and has white flowers with a beautiful perfume around May time.

There are lots of low growing Hebes available which would be suitable, best to check what you like best in the garden centre.

All of these shrubs are very low maintenance and easily obtainable from garden centres.