suggestions on types of flowers to plant around my porch which has boxwood shrubs

Question

Jamie's Flower bed Hey!
I have a 100 yr old home which has a large porch. Im in search of suggestions on the types of flowers to plant around my porch which has boxwood shrubs. When I planted the shrubs several years ago, i mistakenly planted them too far apart. There are about 1 to 2 ft spaces between them except on the corner of the porch. I planted those 2 shrubs closer together to hide some ugly bricks. I usually plant marigolds or Vinca. Last year I put Zinnias (I grew from seed inside)back behind and between the shrubs. I planted marigolds(I grew from seed inside)in front of the shrubs and Vinca in front of the marigolds. It was beautiful but the zinnias didnt fill in good enough and eventually hung over the plants in front, so i had to stake them which was a task because of all the plants in front of them. I also ended up removing the vinca because the marigolds grew so huge in the fall and were covering the vinca in front. Ive never had marigolds grow so big. After I moved the vinca, most of them died..:o(...so I guess my questions are...1.Do you have any better suggestions for placing plants and the appropriate kinds to have there? I love bright plants, flowers, foliage, etc. Im up for anything! I would really like something spectacular regarding colors and design...but dont want to spend a lot of money. 2.I also have a partial shaded area that starts a few feet down from the porch by my wooden fence. Any suggestions on making my full sun bed flow over to that area with the appropriate plants/flowers?
FYI- I collected seeds from the marigolds and Zinnias from last year. The marigolds were orange, yellow and some hybrid orange/red. The Zinnias were mixed colors.  Ive attached a picture from last fall.
Thanks in advance!
Jamie
-Mississippi
-full sun
-well drained soil

Answer
Greetings Jamie!

You have such a beautiful house, porch and yard and you are asking me for additional advice and direction!  I am honored, however I believe you are planting too many annuals with the hopes of year round color.  Have you considered Knock-out Roses for your continuous color with available colors of red, deep red, pink and white?  Your boxwood should be planted 30 inches apart maximum with 18 inches being the minimum spacing from center of plant to center of plant, so it seems your spacing may be correct.  Just allow the plant time to fill in to achieve the coverage you are seeking.  Which type of boxwood do you have, Japanese or English?  It will make a difference in its growth habit.  Have you consider Hostas?  Hostas will work well in a partial shaded landscape for your area.  Even your Dwarf & Medium Azaleas, like Red Ruffles (red), Duc de Rohan (pink), Milfred Mae (light purple) and Fashion (salmon) should be considered for your landscape.  Also consider Day Lilies (yellow & orange), Agapanthus/Lily of the Nile (blue or white), Bulbine (yellow), Cuphea/Heather (purple) are all considerations for providing color.  All these plants will work with your light and soil requirements.

Be In Joy!

JSS