Total novice begging for help

[foolserrand]

We've recently moved, mid 30s, into our final resting place. Stunning house in the middle of the countryside and a decent garden. I've not had one of those before, at least not a proper one and, now the spring has finally hit, I'm alarmingly aware I've not the foggiest idea what I'm supposed to be doing!

I don't even know what's plant and what's weed!

Ideally, I'd like to fill the beds with beautiful flowering perennials (they're the returning ones, right?) all year round. But I don't even know where to start!

I'm currently removing the few bits I know to be weeds, stinging nettles, ivy on the floor etc. But then what? Please help me! I'm an intelligent person normally, doesn't show when it comes to gardening!

The second one is a weed called creeping buttercup. I like it but it will spread very quickly.

That's leaving the beds then! Thank you!

Don't compost creeping buttercup in your own compost bin, if you have one.

My (four?!) bins are pretty full.

This will hopefully make a few of you chuckle at the hopelessness of my situation, I don't even know how to empty the beggars!

Can I just thank you all again for your help please

I have spent the last few days furiously weeding. The dcs planted some seeds and bulbs into pots today, so we will have some colour (hopefully, I left them to it so the results are anyone's guess!)

I think I've got maybe a third of the beds done. But I'm studiously avoiding the front bed and the pots I inherited!