Gabz, I enjoy plants and flowers that are pretty low-maintenance. I have lantana and blue plumbago (shrubs that are drought tolerant and require little to no maintenance). They are hearty and impossible to kill.
I have Gardenia, which are lovely in bloom and smell heavenly and a bed of annuals in all colors that require water often.
Now, I have a bed of roses and, of course, they do require care. They are so beautiful, however, that they're worth the effort.
My tree choices are crepe myrtles in back and Oak and bradford pear in front.
Cheer up. The sun will come out tomorrow!
That would make a great song title!!!!! LOL
Other than the veggies, I also want low maintenance plants. This place had a bunch of shrubs around the front when we bought it and other than occassional trimming they are totally no-maintenance and most have some type of flowers. The only one I am sure what it is is a forsythia.