Not really interested in flowers myself, esp. competing for space with things you can actually eat, but the first floor is. So what inexpensive colorful long-blooming perennials would you recommend?
Daffodils, Flox, and heather come to mind.
Also, many of the herbs in my “Pilgrim Herb Garden” are perennials:
Mint,
Onion,
Scallion,
Sage,
Lavender,
and others.
Rosemary is a “Tender perennial” which means it sometimes will not survive the harsh New England winters.