A few reliable summer bloomers for me in zone 5:

Coneflowers, daylilies, salvia, clematis (vine - type 3s), roses

A few reliable spring bloomers for me:

peonies, clematis (type 1 and 2), daffodils, allium

Where are you?

How large is the backyard?

Are you OK with it looking like that half the year?

can we have a redo on that first pic ... the bizarre angle is giving me a headache ...

ken

I envision a row of peonies along the edge in the 2nd pic...

in regard to the downspout ...

cant see whats near.. but i would dig a french drain ... sorta ...

get a piece of corrugated pipe ... dig a trench .... and run it out into the grass ...

but again.. i dont know what looks like a door.. and the rest of the slope etc ...

something like the tenth link pic ... it does not have to be all that expensive or intricate ... i wouldnt do all the true french drain stone stuff and what not ... see link below

but do keep in mind... i am on glacial sand ... i would just be diverting.. and the sand would allow it all to disperse in no time at all ... if you have clay.. i have given you an idea.. and you will have to engineer it all out ...

ken

https://www.google.com/search?q=french+drain+from+downspout+to+lawn&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAWoVChMI07arscXHxwIVERCSCh2kaQKR&biw=865&bih=745&dpr=0.9

As for your downspout a ns ramp I'd connect the downspout and run it along side the ramp out onto the grass and plant a row of reblooming day lilies right next to the downspout. The day lilies have arching daffodil like leaves which will hide the downspout and soften the edge of the ramp. You could have all one variety or have each one with a different color. Then I'd add a few here and there in your bed

It looks to me like you need some height to cover some of the concrete foundation in some spots. How about a Weigela, flowering shrub that maxes out at around 4' tall, one variety is Wine and Roses. These shrubs are easy to find, bloom in the spring and usually have more bloom later in the season, also easy care. Possibly some Feather Reed grass? Daylilies were a good suggestion, some varieties rebloom, some bloom early, mid or late season, literally thousands of varieties to choose from. Another possibility is a compact perennial geranium for lower interest. These are all pretty easy for a new gardener.

Sherry

The second picture with the edger and the shovel leaning up against the house - how deep is that bed right there? It's hard to tell, but it looks too narrow to me. Wouldn't anything you plant there be under the house's overhang?

If the bed is planted with nothing but perennials, they will disappear for the winter, and it will look pretty much the same as it does now for half the year. That may be fine with you. If it isn't, you'll need at least two layers of plantings. An evergreen backdrop and perennials in front. That takes space. Unless the planting are going to be nothing more than one line of fairly small perennials, the bed has to be a lot deeper than it is currently.

What gallica said.

Just skimming through at the moment and will try to contribute more detailed ideas later, but my first thought is that bed is quite shallow/narrow, and needs to be deeper/wider. Can you bring it out a few feet?

:)
Dee

I wish it was deeper, It's only 4ft deep at its narrowest I'm not sure the hubby is willing to redo the edging at this point given its not going to be a permanent bed. Eventually we will be adding additions on out that way. Thanks everyone for the input.

Ah, you will be building there... so you most likely don't want to add shrubs or things that will get big and difficult to move....

I can't quite tell from the photos for sure, but in the re-post of the first photo, is that morning sun? How much sun does this bed get?

diggerdee it gets full sun till noon ish than starts to taper off the bottom of bed farthest from the steps gets the most sun.

Mum I posted some in another thread that do well in my zone 5 and their bloom time. You may want to take a look...

http://forums2.gardenweb.com/discussions/3335651/need-advice-for-selecting-perennials-for-front-of-house-with-pics?n=6