need some gardening advice

[Semidevil]

so I have a 'landscaping area' in my front yard that I plan to decorate with flowers for the spring/summer/fall.

my main concern is to pick something that will bloom beautifully as long as possible, but will also come back the next year. what type of plant/flowrs do you guys reccommend?

Do I get the ones with the bulbs? seeds? the trees(like roses).

what do I need to look for in the package to make sure that they will come back and not just die in the winter??

 

[Lola]

i had this same problem with our backyard... my best advice, go to a local greenhouse, garden store and talk to one of the experts there. tell them what you want in plants and they will give you suggestions.
There is so much out there, its best to talk to somone who knows exactly what they are doing.
PS, you will want to get perennials.

 

[SVT Cobra]

I usually have good experieces with Bulbs in my area, and as long as the damn squirrels do not dig them up, they come back each year and I like the look when they are not blooming also.

 

[Lola]

also, you will want a "layout" of the plants and flowers that you will be using as well. Plant the taller ones in the back, then go foward with shorter plants.
Do you want things that smell? what about shade?
Some plants and flowers come in their "form" already started. some (like tulips) come in bulbs, etc.
Do some research on the web and get some ideas of what plants and flowers you like.

 

[NoShangriLa]

Go with LolaWiz suggestion, and hit the local perennials nursery. Check to see what zone you are in, type of soil you have, and litmus test for acidic level; then purchase the appropriate plants.

Mix planting to maximize growing season by mixing early-mid-late season plants. Maximize space by calculate the growing area that the plant require in 2 years, and depth of root/bulb (layer planting). Also, be mind full of sun/shade requirement, and height of plants (tall plant in the back or middle as back drop and shorter on in the front. And, don't ignore foliage colour & shape.

 

[SoulAssassin]

I would echo what everyone else said but if you want to find some stuff on the web check out http://www.dutchgardens.com