DIY Continued

I've decided that I would like to plant a garden. This is a HUGE undertaking for me since I know less than nothing about gardening. I'm the type of person who can kill plastic plants. But currently my yard looks like an ad for Redneck Times, a far cry from my desire for a romantic cottage style environment. I'm thinking about planting some perennials in the dirt along the side of my house that faces the yard. I have to figure out what grows here, and whether it's full sun, full shade, or something in between. How do you figure that out anyway? It's on south side of the house if that makes any difference. I don't know anything about soil or if I need fertilizer or what to do to keep away animals or flower disease or how much to water or even if the baby plants that spring up are the flowers or weeds. For those of you who have this basic knowledge, you can stop rolling your eyes, and start sharing the info thank you very much. I also think it would be pretty to add a little fountain. I have one friend who's an expert professional landscaper, and now that I think of it, so is my cousin. Catherine, HELP!!!! The one advantage of knowing zilch about this is that anyone I know can probably help me cuz no matter how little knowledge they have, it's still more than I do. I figure that since my children are now older and more independent (in theory anyway), I should have a hobby (other than consuming chocolate while watching multiple episodes of Once Upon a Time on Netflix). I do love flowers, and would like to actually enjoy sitting in my yard. I know this one thing won't completely transform my yard into the romantic cottage hideaway of my dreams, but hey, it's a start! Would love some ideas here! Anyone know what kind of flowers these are and if they grow in Minnesota? I just love this little garden!