The foundation bed in this photo offers a twist, as it is located behind a retaining wall....
David Beaulieu
Photo of foundation planting behind retaining wall.
In the prior photo of a foundation bed, I mentioned the visual interest that can be achieved by varying heights -- heights of the shrubbery, in that example. But in this case, some elevation is achieved in the foundation bed even before any planting is done! The result is a "head start" in creating visual interest in your landscaping next to the house.
Such a foundation bed can get away with having a groundcover (pachysandra) planted in back of its shrubs (boxwoods).