I would suggest going to a local nursery to see what perennials are available in your area. That’s a fairly small planting area so stick with just a few different types of plants for a cohesive look.

The evergreen shrub is a Pieris. If you think it needs pruning it probably needs moving. It shouldn’t really need much pruning at all if it’s grown in a suitable space. It’s the new foliage and flowers which are the main feature and pruning will affect them adversely. I’d also rethink the shape of the bed to eliminate the awkward bit of lawn where the pink cart is. Mowing that must be a pain.

Overall the bed seems too shallow front to back for the house. Of course, we can't see the house. Landscaping requires seeing the entire house.

I'd remove the barberry and place a row of hydrangeas under the window.

moving forward .... understand that foundation plants are planted to hide the foundation .. NOT ON THE FOUNDATION ..

the barbary is literally on the foundation ... it should be moved .. fall would probably be best ... besides it doesnt look centered on the window ...

i would double dig the bed... fluff it all up.. then go perennial shopping.. and just plant a bunch of stuff.. and learn all you can ... and if you end up with stuff you dont like.. get rid of them.. and if you planted wrong per size.. move them in fall ... etc ...

do not think of this as a plant and forget forever garden ..

have the utilities marked so you know where not to dig ...

garden is just an excuse for adult to play in the dirt ... just channel your inner child and plant things.. and dont worry about success or failure ... just have fun .. and then you will find out whether you enjoy the garden hobby... or not ... thats really what your goal is this season ..

and to be sure.. any mistake you make.. can be fixed later ... dont worry about it.. just do it ...

tell us about your soil... if you havent already.. go dig a one foot deep hole.. and show us the soil ... and perk it ... fill it with water.. and see how long it takes to drain ... understanding your soil ... is the very best place to start ....

ken

ps: and if you decide you enjoy it all.. then in fall .... widen the beds by 4 to 6 feet ... and dream all winter about what you will want to fill the new space .. and keep in mind.. in fall.. you plant spring bulbs.. for something new to your knowledge base ...

You want to be able to walk behind your foundation plantings, and particularly with a stucco house you don't want them up against the house. Plant things well enough away from the house so that when they grow to mature size they won't be crowded on the house side. If it makes you feel any better, I am having to tear out all my foundation plantings, they have far outgrown their cute initial sizes and are vectoring all kinds of nasty stuff against the house, from bugs to moisture to looking unsightly . . .