Soil type? preferred size and style? just perennials? house shape, style and colour?

There are literally thousands of plants to choose between so it will help us (and you) if you can be a little more specific about what you want...for example, do you favour spring or summer (if you take a long vacation for example) Do flowers interest you more than foliage? Herbs, edibles? trees? A photo would also be helpful.

I've been trying to upload a picture but for any reason I can't ! My wife love flowers, I was thinking in Azaleas or maybe roses. Not sure, I know soil in Georgia is very acidic. Townhouse with a big yard on the side. I want to do something nice, that I can keep whole year around easily.

This is the place where I want to fill with plants, any recommendations. We love flowers, shrubs anything that can help to make it visually much better. Thank you

OK - Are you willing to make this wider and get rid of some of the grass? Right now it looks to be less than 2 feet wide, and is close enough to the building that it is probably in the rain shadow caused by the building's wall and eaves. You also want to not plant so close to the building, so that the plants aren't against it since that isn't good for the building, holding moisture against the wall. (If the mulch is against the wall you want to pull it back a few inches as well.)

Can you take a few steps back and take another photo so that we can see a bit more? Get enough information in so we can tell how wide the overall area is (for instance is this a narrow side yard or there 50 feet to your property line) , how tall the building is, and what is down at the far end - is it a gate? That type of info will effect what looks good and what is possible for your space.

I think of Georgia as having clay. Is yours clay ( when wet feels slimy and will ball up and stay in a ball when poked with your finger)?

You definitely want to make the bed wider - NHBabs gave a great overview of the reasons why.

My suggestion is to walk around your neighborhood and see what plants look great. Then, ask around and see which ones are well behaved. Get a bunch of those.

Water well when you first plant and then water only if the ground is dry (kneel down, stick your finger into the dirt an inch to feel it). Most people kill by overwatering than under.

I know that azaleas and hydrangeas do well at least in the Atlanta area. Those might be an easily available start for the back of your border..

I'll post more pics later on ! House is on a concrete base ! Do I need to pull mulch back few inches anyway ? It would be better if I make bed wider ?

Here few more pictures ! What you guys think is the best I can do ? I really needs some help, I want to surprise my wife ! We just move to this new townhome. Thank you again

This is next to back door !

Lovely home - congrats!

You have done a lot of work on those beds and they look great. You could pop some annuals (are marigolds still "in"?) and call it a day.

However, you are talking with some serious gardening enthusiasts and our experience says if you want to create a garden that will grow with your family and give 4 season interest you will need to make the garden beds about 2x deeper. That gives room for all different sized plants to create contrast and interest.

No matter what you decide, enjoy and make certain to kneel down and feel the earth before watering.

An additional suggestion - seeing the power meters on the wall and the gas meter, call digsafe to be sure. They will mark where the gas and power lines run underground so you don't accidentally damage them and perhaps yourself.

Even with a concrete pad and nonwood siding, I would pull the mulch back at least a couple inches. I would definitely make the beds a lot deeper, but you don't need to do them all this year. Choose the one you will get the most out of because you see it every day, either when your are leaving and coming home, or from a spot where you or your wife commonly look out a window or by your patio - you will know best on that.

Thank you for your advice. I'll start with the main entrance bed ! Any suggestions about plants ? Right now we have some shrubs that I don't really like maybe I can just replace them for something better. THX

Thk you for your advice NHBabs !! I'll try to do my best !! Do you think base in my front house picture I can do something nicer ? What about the left side ? Can I plant some hostas on the left side ?

Maybe I missed something, but are you talking about 6 hours of full sun or a shady area? Azaleas will not be happy in full sun, nor will astilbe, and only shade-tolerant hostas would make it. As for your soil, you should be able to take a sample to your local county agricultural extension office (sponsored by your state university) for an analysis. I think most will provide a pH test free of charge, and will also advise as to composition, but a more comprehensive test showing macro- and micro-nutrients will probably require a fee ($20 here in NJ). Good soil prep is essential for good long-term results.

As mentioned before, the bed needs to be at least twice the current width, preferably more. An alternative would be to train a plant as an espalier against the wall, or a climbing rose, clematis or other flowering vine on a trellis.

See what is doing well in your area, or, better yet, visit a local horticultural park or botanical garden.

Please think, too, about the ecological function of your landscape, as well as the aesthetic function. Native plants do more to support birds (even the seed-eating ones) and pollinators, and, because they evolved in the region, they are better suited to the environment and usually require less input to keep them healthy. The Xerces Society (www.xerces.org) and the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center both have excellent resources for choosing plants native to your region.

Thank you for your advice !!