Beginner Gardening: Any suggestions for a new gardener?, 1 by missysgarden

missysgarden wrote:
Thanks for everyone's responses. Yes it is a bit overwhelming but I truly appreaciate the constructive criticism.

I admit that I do feel a little peer pressure to keep up the Jones's yard. I live in a neighborhood of well established homes with well established yards, so it will be difficult to hold back from planting anything in the front for a few years. We are the 3rd owners of the home (the original owned it from 1955-1977). Originally it was a show garden I've been told (by the neighbors), the owner would graft new varieties and be in the yard from morning till night. Although I don't have those types of hours to spend in the yard, I do want to restore some justice to the yard since purchasing it from the second owner. Unfortunately the second owner from 1977-2004 removed over 80 % of the flowers and hedges so that he could just sit on his mower and mow the 1/2 acre property lol.

As far as the phlox goes I have already learned my lesson about windstorms. We had one the other night and I lost 2 of my stalks, I think I will definately move it back towards the wall for some extra protection.

The "Blueish" flower is actually a deep purple delphinium (I know it's similar to the shape of the phlox and hydrangea I am totally addicted to this style of flowers, as well as daylilies and irises too).

I'm not sure what you are saying is the boxwood. I do have 2 mystery shrubs that are evergreen and grow little white flowers on them that smell really nice, I think they were supposed to be in shade/partial sun so that's why they are close to the wall (scared to move them closer to the sun lol) , but since we have extended our border they are a little awkward there and may need to be relocated elsewhere. I've attached a pic of them if anyone can identify them it would be super.
Also what about relocating plants? Is it better to just wait for fall?