Novice gardener - help needed!

[ImperialQueenofMoo]

This year I decided to make my front garden look less shit. I re-instated a narrow border (new build tiny garden) and planted some flowers at the end of June, a random mix of petunia, celosia, dahlia, marigold, alyssium, begonia, felicia, fuschia, verbena, bidens, & nicotiana (can you tell I kept a list). They filled out waaay more than I expected and I've somehow ended up with one of the nicest gardens on the estate .

They are still mostly in full bloom but I have no clue what I do when the flowers die, I got them thinking they were single year plants but some of the instructions say they are perennials. Do I just leave them over winter or should I cut them back?

Also, I planed a peony in my back garden around the same time and whilst it isn't quite dead, it hasn't grown a single cm and looks generallly a bit wilted. Any tips on what to do?

I think for the perennials you should search up each and check but I would give them a good prune back end sept, early oct or later depending on when the weather turns. I'd also be planting more perennials now so they get established over the winter and kick off straight away in spring.
Not sure about the peony sorry... but they are beautiful.

Well done on adding some colour, I bet it has brought a smile to a lot of people!

Are you dead heading? That helps prolong the blooms, many that you have listed are perennials, you tube has been excellent for me as they explain the best ways to cut back and when to do it etc.

Not yet but think about frost. I wrapped mine in bubble wrap to keep them over the winter and most survived, some are hardy again Google will let you know. I'm also very new to this but it is exciting.

Ps I also find aiming for less shit is a good starting point, lessens the chance of failure

I’d looking in the charity shops for some basic gardening books. Especially those aimed at beginning gardening in small gardens. Alan Tichmarsh wrote one called The Complete How To Be A Gardener. You can get it second hand from World Books.
It will take you through the basics of planting and caring for your plants.
Your Peony will die down during the winter and send up new shoots next spring. Most of what you have planted in the from garden is not frost hardy and will also die in the winter.
This will allow you to plan for next year, research plants that are perennials and give you all year round interest, such as small Hebes. As you like lists, draw a plan and list the plants that will grow in each area.
Gardening is a life journey with many hits and misses! We never get it right all the time. Enjoy your journey.

All peonies look a bit sorry for themselves this time of year. I'd give it a good feed with something like bonemeal or a general feed, put something to mark where it is (trust me - it's easy to forget once all the leaves have died back) and wait for it to die back to nothing over winter then suddenly spring from the ground again next spring

Are you on Facebook? there is a good gardening forum that can provide help with all sorts of problems, from what's this plant, why is my plant dying, what should I plant, etc.... People are very polite and no question is deemed silly. It is UK-based and called Gardening UK-Hints, tips & advice. I find it very useful.

the dahlia in particular is the one that would need attention as you are supposed to dig the tubers up and store them. look up each plant and check how to make sure they come up again next year, although some are annuals. The peony can take up to 5 years to bloom. it dies down to nothing in the winter time.