I have mostly mixed beds which contain evergreen shrubs, flowering shrubs and perennials. I have one long bed that is perennials only for color across the front yard. I do not plant annuals, seems a waste of time and $$ to plant every year.
And I do not plant containers, they are too time consuming for me. I plant very few veggies, tomatoes and onions.
For your rocky yard you can plant a rock garden.