Plants to provide some cover on palisade fence

Hi All

Just had a palisade fence put in the front garden. I want to paint it rather than stain it - got Cuprinol Garden Shades in Country Cream - but my neighbour, who already had a fence running down the left hand side of our garden when we moved in, has their fence stained dark brown. Rather than paint our side of their fence (which I think they'd agree to, but I'm being lazy) I'd like to put in some plants against our side to disguise the fact their fence is dark, but would like a combination that will look good all year. My trusted favourite fuchsia is certainly in the running and I like the sound of Chinese plumbago and Russian sage to add some colour into the autumn, but I can't find an evergreen that I like the sound of at the moment.

Any suggestions? They don't have to be evergreen, but just provide some interest in winter. Also comments on the plants I'm thinking of would be welcome too. It's only a small area - about six feet in length and I don't want something that's going to spread too madly across the grass!