I would ready my beds now Get weeds out and a good layer of compost on them) and them stock it with bulbs this fall. THen in spring you can put the flowers and shrubs in over the bulbs. There is just nothing like a nice display of tulips and daffodils, alliums (If they grow in your zone) and all the other "Minor" bulbs. This fall you could also start a patch of sweet william and some foxglove and any other biennial plants like columbine. THey will stay small this fall but bloom next spring and summer. Next summer you will want some of the neon dianthus (Too bad, they are only annuals! Gorgeous bright cherry and grape colors on thick healthy stems! I also love Orlaya for a lacy white flower. I would recommend one plant of highland white dreams daisy from Wayside (You wil have more in a couple of years if you love them as much as I do! Leave room for some sweet peas, zinnias, sunflowers and batchelor buttons in the summer...Just a few of each will give you lovely bouquets. IN the shady area I would grow ferns, hydrangeas if they work where you are, and other woodland type flowers. Maybe hostas would do well? IN the sunny area, think about trellising some flowers then they take up little ground space. A nice hardy rose that will be fragran most of the summer would be top notch! And then there are the lilies...plant every kind of lily that grows in your climate! THey will bring you more joy then you can imagine! FInally, tuck in a chrysanthemum and some autumn joy sedum for late fall bloom. And maybe a tall blue perennial astor or a lovely dainty white like Monte Casino. Ummm, Isn't it LOVELY!

Goofster--I can't answer your question about wasps. Just be careful, but they don't necessarily need a dose of Raid! As Donn said, there are THOUSANDS of plants from which to choose. And an equal number of books, on-line topics, newsletters, and all sorts of info to research re flowers and cutting gardens. Begin with this forum. Read EVERTTHING we've all written on and responded to on ALL 9 or 10 pages!. Then acquire the books and newsletters we recommend--look for them, there's bound to be a reference to them in one of the first two pages-- it's part of your homework. LOL! Go to the Soils forum to learn about composting. Roses, Iris, Peonies, all have their own separate forums w/ TONS of info. Then plant some seeds or plants, get dirty & sweaty, and you'll learn the rest. I'm NOT trying to be flippant, but your question is too broad, and does sound like you've NOT done much research yet. You'll learn by doing and failing AND succeeding. PLANT those shasta daisies, (don't "just" "plan to") see how it does, and if you like how it grows and blooms for you. There's a thread maybe on this first page discussing a certain type of daisy. Maybe you'll find some good info there. Seeds on most things are cheaper than plants, so you might try your hand at seed sowing. There are at least two seed sowing forums on Garden Web to give you help. But plants, esp. in small quantities, might give you the "boost" of having something already growing and green to look at, and help fill in your garden space. You'll have to decide which route is the best use of your time & money. You have a good start w/ your peonys and some sunflowers. Get out to your garden, pull up those weeds, incorporate compost, and plant something else. And TALK to the gardeners in your town & county & find out what they grow and why, and what works and doesn't. Talk to your county horticulturist. There're probably several garden clubs in your area that may be geared to just the right style of gardening you prefer. Borrow gardening books from the library, or buy a bunch from Barnes & Noble/Amazon. The county horiticulturist/and or poison control agency might be able to advise you about your wasps, or call a bug-killing service company like Terminex. Most of us (here on the forum and in general U. S. life) prefer a more organic way of life w/ fewer synthetic chemicals. But if the wasps are a danger to your family, the pest control service maybe the better answer. By the way, there is also a Bee Keeping Forum here on gardenweb--they might be able to advise you about your bees. Back to plants, and what to, the famous Arnoskys say to plant EVERYTHING at least once or twice, then you'll know for sure what DOES & DOESN'T work! Don't forget to take notes, when you sow, under what conditions, when the first shoots appear, when you transplant to a bigger container or garden, and most importantly, when it blooms and how long it lasts in a vase of plain water in your house after you cut it. Once you know/do THOSE things, you'll have/be building your knowledge foundation and can only grow from there! Good luck! Read and Plant! You'll do fine. SusiQ in NE TX

I just ordered Crepuscule and Iceberg Climbing from chamblee roses (Texas). I will let you know how things going. Thanks Alpharetta

I'm no expert, but I started 9 hardy rugosa rose cuttings a couple months ago. I made the cuttings as you describe, but also scraped the ends lightly with a knife before dipping in the rooting hormone. I planted them on the north side of my house under some shade trees with plastic pop bottles (caps on, bottom of the bottle cut off) placed over the cuttings which keeps the moisture in like a little greenhouse. It's very important to keep them watered so that you see condensation inside the bottle at all times. So far I've only lost one of the cuttings. The rest have all sprouted brand new leaves. Oh yeah, cut the leaves you do leave on your cuttings in half so you can tell when new leaves form. I've noticed that my new leaves are lighter in color. I'm planning on leaving my cuttings outside under their bottles all winter. I'll probably try and protect them with leaves or evergreen branches. I've never tried this before. I might end up with 8 dead cuttings next spring, but they didn't cost anything anyway.