Beginner Gardening: Designing flowerbeds, 0 by DaleTheGardener

DaleTheGardener wrote:
The best bet for a good book is at the local library. They will probably have some materials by local/regional folks that you would have a hard time finding elsewhere. Libraries always have books that are hard to find in bookstores. Reference desk folks are there to help.

Also public gardens (and their staff) and garden centers run by local folks. Local nurseries are in the business of selling plants that will do well for you, that way you'll come back. Stay away from the big box places, they just sell plants, any plant they think you will buy and their suppliers are not always well intentioned. Sales are important, your success at home is less important.

The reason I asked if you knew the plants in the above photo was because you mentioned liking plants that are 'old friends'. I was guessing that you had some knowledge of plants, even if wasn't hands on. You mentioned that you know what emerging bleeding hearts look like. You might not be quite as 'novice' as you think.

The plants in my photo are, coreopsis (pink and red small flowers), yarrow (yellowish cream), coneflower (big white) and rudebeckia (big bright yellow). All would be perennial for you.