If it were me, I would first of all elevate the rear of the bed to about the level of 2 courses of bricks so that the bed slopes and water runs away from the house across the sidewalk. I would add edging between the porch slab and garden to achieve this. I would also probably get gutters to help keep the roof from draining into this bed.

I would use cloth or black plastic with gravel on top and choose perennials appropriate for your zone and sun conditions, shorter ones in front, larger in back. I would try to leave the evergreens. Lucky you, 8FL! You have a lot to choose from!

Sarah, honestly you have to get off the computer and plant some stuff that you have bought or been given or grown from seed.

I would do a few bushes like red sand cherry, spiarea (sp) they come in many flowering varieties my favorite is brides veil it get loads of blooms that alomost pull the branches down and then do some group plantings of some flowers you like. If you do three plants spaced as far apart as recommeded you will get a fuller look. You could even add some ornamental grasses to give interest in the winter.

With the color of your house I see reds as a good choice, as well as deep yellows and purples. It takes time for perennials to fill in so for a few years you could fill in with annuals for color until the pers fill in. Do those in groups as well for impact. FYI, north facing doesn't get lot of sunlight, look for sun to part shade plants when choosing.

lol. inkognito -- I know!!! I don't have a lot of plants though, and I'm trying to decide what to get. :) Besides, right now in Fl, the only time I can garden is before 9-10am or after 6-7pm because of the heat... that leaves all day to sit and think about what I'm going to do!

Gary -- Thanks for the suggestions! I'm definitely looking into gutters, the hard rains here in FL definitely wreak havoc with that bed.

Sarah :)