I need help from those who plant flowers every year.

[lynn]

The front of my house faces east with little shade. I have boxwood bushes and something else I just can't identify. I need Flower suggestions and please give me instructions like you would give to a 5 year old please so I can not mess this up. I really want to give it a go. TIA

[honeydo]

Sunlight flowers....I LOVE Marigolds and Petunias! Simple, colorful and pretty!

[Julie in CA]

I don't plant flowers every year, because most of mine are perennials and stay in place pretty permanently. I don't remember (if I ever did know) where you live, but I live in northern CA in zone 9. The things that have been easiest and best for me in the sun were these:
Agapanthus (lily of the Nile)
Daylillies (mostly Stella d'oro)
lambs ears (for really cool foliage)
marguerite daisies
Santa Barbara Daisies
Salvia (many varieties)
flower carpet roses
spiraea
Verbena
Almost all of these have grown quickly and easily as long as they get pretty consistent watering. Not a LOT of water, just a little, but consistently.
Some of them need to be divided every few years. That's just where you dig up the plant, break the root part in half or in more pieces, and plant just one section back in the hole. The extra plants can be planted somewhere else, given away, or (gasp!) trashed. Once per year (usually late winter) I cut these plants back so they're really small again (maybe 12" tall). In spring, they bud out into beauties again.
Some of the ones I listed make fairly nice cut flowers, if you're interested in that:
daylillies
salvia
flower carpet roses
spiraea
Good luck with your plans! :)
~Julie~

[Danestress]

I'm just now learning how to manage my landscaping - which is extensive and not designed or planted by me - for the most part. It's been a steep learning curve.

First, you need to figure out what "zone" you are in. If you google words like "zone" "map" "plant" you will find what I am talking about. What plants are suitable for your climate depends on your zone (I know this is elementary girls, but she DID say to talk to her like a five year old!).

Then I really like this link http://www.bhg.com/gardening/plans/ for garden plans. They won't all work for your zone, though, but they will get you started.

Honestly, the best thing to do, though, is to go to a reputable nursery and just start asking questions. Tell them exactly what your space is like - take a photo even - and how much room you have. They might suggest you test the soil, and there are home kits for that. Independant nurseries are really struggling to survive in the "Home Depot" and "Lowes" age, and I have found that they have really awesome customer service.

[mcconnellboys]

I really prefer perenniels, which do not have to be replanted from year to year, but I do mix in some bienniels and annuals, so I'll try to give you some ideas.

For full sun, higher in height, so better in front of the shrubs, but in back of smaller flowers, I like something like coneflowers. These come in different colors, such as white and purple (which are really pink). Butterflies love these, as do finches, once the seedheads have set. Lower in height: dianthus, which also come in a variety of colors, including many different shades of pinks. Dianthus does pretty well in well drained areas, too.

For another color option, the higher flowers could be various forms of daisies, which also come in a variety of colors, such as various bright yellows. Lower front flowers could be various forms of marigolds, which come in a variety of gold and orange shades.

Layering from back to front of the beds gives a rich appearance. So if you have mature shrubs bordering the house and want to fill in the beds in front of those, using taller plants, which may grow from 2-3 feet high in back, fronted by smaller plants, will give you that layered look. Choose complimentary colors or shadings from the same color family. I use pinks in the front of my house, for instance, but intermix blue-greens and burgundies with the different shades of pinks (Astilbes come in burgundy shades, for instance).

You might even want to choose an intermediate type of flower, which grows about 1-2 feet in height, then put the smallest flowers (1 foot or less) in the very front. This will give you three layers of flowers in front of your shrubbery.

Don't forget to give your new plants a great boost by adding some timed-release fertilizer as you plant. And always water well after planting and for a day or two afterward, to insure roots have a chance to begin to get established.