I would suggest what I've suggested my kids do when they moved. Walk around in pretty places and ASK the older gardeners questions. Most gardeners will be pleased to answer honestly and some might even share plants with you.
And then there's always the county Farm Adviser, he/she'll have lots of ideas and probably giveaway papers with all sorts of ideas.
You don't have to follow all of them, but these two sources will know what can and has been grown in that area in the past and can right now. Get the Organic Gardening magazine and study it. Mother Earth News is a good one too for folks who live off the beaten path.
Find out what planting zone you live in, that will give you some idea of what plants will live and thrive for you. Some love cool summers, some hate cool summers, some will blossom in the midst of a snow storm, some will wilt if you talk mean to it...
Plants are fascinating and will continually surprise you. They will
feed your body, feed your soul with flowers, and even help cool you with shade, or warm your house with windbreaks.