The possibilities are endless. Pick up a plant catalog and find something you like.

I agree with Donna534, there are soooooooo many to chose from literally thousands, it's hard to begin. I like perennials that come back year after year, the problem with perennials is that most don't bloom all season long. Annuals bloom all season long for the most part, but they die at the end of the year. I personally like stuff that I don't have to plant every year. Some standard perennials that are easy for beginners are shasta daisy, daylilies, irises, rudbeckia "goldstrum" (yellow daisy type flowers), and coreposis "moonbeam" These are all easy to care for flowers that will come back year after year. Shasta daisies, rudbeckia, and coreopsis all have a longer than average bloom time.

Hope that helps to give you a start. Don't be afraid to experiment. Just plant what you like. If it's a perennial and you think it would go better in a different spot in the garden, move it!

Don't forget to prep your soil properly. For my clay soil, I like to add humus, good top soil, peat moss, and composted cow manure. The more, the better. Mulch after you plant to help keep the weeds down.

Hope this helps get you started.

Ellen

Even if you plan to grow mostly perennials you should plant some annuals the first year, because most perennials take several years to become established; after 20 year my garden is still about 20% annuals. Pay attention to plant tags, in their brief notes is most everything you need to know about its care. Ellen right about experimenting, if you eventually become a gardener, you'll laugh at your early attempts; we all do. There is almost no chance that this year's garden or next year's will be anything like the one you have in five years. Now is the time to pay attention to where you live: your soil conditions; whether you have full sun or more toward shade; where the rain pools. I'd say, look around your neighborhood to see what others are growing, except for one thing. There just aren't that many gardeners around. But if you're lucky, and do have gardening neighbors, take the time to meet them, since they have probably already done the experimenting. Many of my most prized plants were 'over the fence' gifts, so admire extravagantly, and you just might come home with something. Lastly, realize that things never come out perfect, and worrying too much about imperfections can kill a gardeners spirit.