I'd like to create a bee/butterfly/hummingbird-friendly garden this spring ... but I am a complete [View all]

[Flaxbee]

garden novice. Totally ignorant.

I live in the northern Virginia area, about 60 miles west of DC...approaching the mountains of West Virginia.

I have an area about 2' by 5' that has eastern exposure, and then a few smaller, maybe 2'x2' patches that have northern exposure by the front door/porch.

I'd also like to start some veggies, but I'm thinking I'll grow most of those in containers and reserve the areas mentioned above for flowers, and I'd like to plant bushes/flowers/whatever that will last more than one year. We currently rent and I'm hoping we'll be able to move by the fall, but I'd like to leave the garden areas with some permanent, attractive plants to nurture the bees and butterflies and hummingbirds in the area.

See? I'm clueless. My mom used to plop some pansies into pots and call it a garden. I'd really like to learn, but feel a tad bit overwhelmed and not sure where to start. I also don't have a lot of extra money to put into this effort, so any hints at how to be a frugal gardener will be much appreciated.

Thanks!