Hello

I am new to this. I like color ,and I like green I like perennials because I won't have to do this every year . But I will do minimal annuals. I want to dive in deep this spring. I live in the northeast. I have 3 flower beds and a hedge area that I want to do a lot with this year.
In the front flowerbed we had azaleas that died after 30 years. I'm thinking of replacing them with more azaleas.
​​​​​I will probably try to put some annuals for color in front of them. It has medium sun, facing north.
The side flowerbed had aborvitaes that turned brown and died years ago. I'm thinking of replacing them, but I'd like some color there. My daughter is very afraid of bees, so I'd need something that doesn't attract many bees. The side has much sun It faces east.
Then there is a dead flowing shrub that I want to dig up and replace with another pretty colorful flowering shrub.
The flowerbeds have little soil, so I plan to add top soil before I add gardening soil. I plan to surround the existing trees with mulch before adding the top soil.
Can you make some suggestions as to some nice options ? I plan to go to home depot and nurseries to find some things, but if you can make some suggestions for some colors or shrubs that would do well in those areas I'd appreciate it I attach some photos.
Thanks

 

A pic or two would really be helpful - How to insert pictures.

 

Go see some full service local nurseries.

When we moved into our home they came out and did a full plan for $300 but that was refunded as we purchased our materials.

We didn't follow exactly but it was a better starting point than nothing!

 

here are some photos of the flowerbeds and the hedge areas. I want to also replace some of the yews that died for the hedge.

 

Here is a photo of the dead flowering shrub that I want to replace.