Beginner Gardening: Newbie needs help with front of house, 1 by thumbers

thumbers wrote:
This is my first house, yard was a complete mess back and front 18 months ago and am making some progress. Have a lot to learn about gardening (started both a container garden and a raised bed garden and stuff is growing like crazy but I have no idea what I am doing yet but enjoying myself ;0). This year is about making mistakes and learning, and I found a few local green thumbs who are giving me tips on my vegetables and fruits.

Now to my question. I cleared the bed at the front of my house. I started a dozen or so calladium bulbs in plastic pots and they came up beautifully and I had intended to transplant them to the front and then mulch around them. A friend mentioned they don't do well in full sun. This area has a slight overhang, but I think the calladium may not do well there, or needs some protection from bushes. So I am looking for some recommendations of what might grow well, look good and provide some shade for the calladium, but not get more than 4-5' high. It should not require a whole lot of work, and I am on a fixed income and can't really afford much in the way of mature plants, so I guess it should be something that has a fast grow rate.

I live in Port Richey, Fl 34668, I believe that is zone 9a

I really appreciate any suggestions. Plants I am considering include dwarf bottlebrush, glossy abelia, Yellow Bush Daisy, red firecracker shrub, texas sage, roses of some kind. I'm not married to anything and happy to consider any ideas.

Here is a picture of the front of the house. The bed is apprx 4' deep x 12.5' long. The window is about 4-4.5' high.

THANKS
Shari