I have a couple of big raised beds for veggies, and really enjoy that. It's easier for me because everything gets tossed out in fall and replanted in spring. No need to weed around perennials or split them or winterize anything. The flower beds are another story!The flowers that I have planted here are spring bulbs and perennials. Daffodils, daylilies, lilacs. My energy goes into the vegetable garden.
My grandma grew a lot of roses. Crimson Glory was her favorite. I've stayed away from them because I know I wouldn't keep up with all the care, and I'd hate to have crappy looking roses.
We do have some wild flowers (and wild roses) that have come in. Woodland phlox and geranium, and dame's rocket. Oh, lest I forget to mention... dandelions and Queen Anne's lace. The latter is why I can't grow carrots to seed. They readily cross and revert back to tough, dry roots.