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Novice Needs Advice

Hi -

I'm new to this list and although I have always been considered a
"green thumb" with houseplants, my outdoor knowledge is minimal.  

I have a specific problem I have been attempting to solve for three
years and although I am making progress I have a way to go.  I am
hoping that someone on this list can assist with this project.

The situation:

I have a flower bed next to my front door along the garage.  The bed
slants at a 45 degree angle.  The dimensions are 4'w x 15'L(slope).  
The exposure is northeast so the only bright light is in the very early
morning.  The bed lies in a wind "tunnel" so I get better results
with flowers 2' tall or shorter.

I don't want to plant annuals every year so I have been adding 
perennials and currently have hyacinths, tulips, daffodils that 
are thriving and spreading each year.  I also have some lilies
(Easter Lily type) at the very top of the bed as it is more
protected from the wind.

I live in central Maryland and don't know what zone that is
considered.

This year I have added 12 geraniums to the mix.  These plants
were marked perennials at the store but I have always been told 
geraniums are annuals and can't make it through the winter.  Is
this true?  I have also added 3 mums for fall color

My Goal:

I want to have continuous perennial flowers from spring to late fall.
They must be short enough not to bend over and break from the wind. I
want color for as much of the spring, summer and fall seasons as 
possible. I know it will take planting different plants to get color
for the different times of the year.

I have spent hundreds of dollars and tried many plants but have not
had the success I had hoped to have.  I would appreciate it if the
experts on this list would suggest perennials by name (comman and
official so I can be sure to find them) that can handle the short
sun exposure, wind and slope and would provide color at different
times.

Thank You!  I am sorry for such a long message.

Patricia Kelly
Olney, Maryland
ozioigs@erols.com
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