I have to think the objective here is to make something that looks good. The rock/gravel assortment detracts significantly. Remove it all and create a bed of one species of annuals that will perform well in the light conditions offered.

I agree. No rocks. I'd do away with the tree peony too - the bed isn't big enough. And especially since that utility pole is right there.

Look at local nurseries to see what is sold in your area that presumably woud be suited for your climate. The lilies are fine. How about adding heucheras? They're pretty hardy for me, and I'm in 5B too. There are lots of varieties, but just pick one variety you like.

Edited to add - it looks really dry there. Is it far far away from your garden hose? How about ajuga, a hardy groundcover? Or some type of sedum, which doesn't mind dry soil.

We just bought the house, so I'll be honest, I didn't really take care to water that area since we've been here so it is quite dry naturally. I plan on watering next season, but it is a stretch for the hose.

I've been thinking about this more. Is this area bordering the street and/or a driveway? If you are in 5B, you probably deal with snow and ice issues with the accompanying road salt. Maybe this wouldn't be a great place to build a flower bed, especially since you say it's too far/too unhandy to water.

I would put a lot more rocks in there, big and small, and then I'd plant some some xeriscape ground cover, and some decor like a bird bath, a whirly twrily, a garden grouping of some sort (I'm dropping a silly but fun idea below), and make it whimsy and simple and easy to manage. Where I live, candytuft is evergreen and needs no maintenance at all and can withstand rain snow sleet and hail.

I love Walker's low catmint. It gets pretty wide, though, so it might take up half the bed. A knockout rose to bloom summer to Fall, and a couple of black-eyed susans to bloom late summer. Depends on your style, but I would like this combo. Once established, I'm pretty sure these wouldn't need much for care/water in your zone.

Thanks everyone! I have a lot to chew on.