shrubs, flowers, gardening...

[Shajen]

I realize this doesn't pertain to 90% of OOT, but for you home owners out there:

Last summer I built a deck off the back of my house and in the process killed most of the grass around the outer edge of the deck. Suppose I wanted to till up this earth around the deck and plant some shrubs/flowers/plants around the outer edge of the deck. What would you suggest?

I'm not looking for exotic stuff, but things that do well in a moderate climate (Atlanta) and bloom late/ maintain color(s) year round. Basically, we are going to buy a new house in the relatively near future, but want to spruce this one up as best we can before selling. I realize that this won't (according to real estate folks anyway) increase the value of the home, but if it makes it look better, that's a good thing.

Any ideas? <font color="white">the first person to post SSIHP or YSSCKY will be proclaimed the biggest tard in all of OOTdome. </font>