Since all worries of getting a frost are well past this is definitely gardening time at our home. We had such a kind winter. All our plants appear very happy and growing like weeds. We have been replanting some of our gardens, flower bowls, hanging baskets as some plants are seasonal and don't live forever. Tom has been adding lots of mulch all over the yard. The weeds won't like that at all!! Incidently the weeds have enjoyed our kind winter also.
Flowers we are now planting are zinnias, toreina and Pentas which are great plants and come in many colors. Angelonias are a nice plant and you can find them red and in many soft pastel colors. Alyssum is a good plant to add to a garden or to a bowl with other plants as it will hang down a little on the sides. Coleus comes in many colors....grow them in a pot or in the ground and a good plant to plant inside a pool area as it won't interfere with your patio.
A little hint about zinnias.....Tom grew some on his side of the yard. They are beautiful!! Their colors are gorgeous. He brought some inside our home to put in a vase. So far after 3 days of being inside.....they still look wonderful and show no signs of giving up. Now another good thing about them.....you can still grow some from seeds if you'd like to. They come in so many different and gorgeous colors. And....they'd look very nice in a vase in your home also.
Geraniums are a tough plant but may not like the upcoming hot weather. We have kept a few of ours in pots for 3 years and are now quite large and beautifully in bloom right now. We protect them when the rains come as they will rot easily.
Orchids are always a nice addition to any home landscape especially if you have a shade house or a nice shade tree with low branches to hang them from. And Mother Nature will take care of their watering.
For a few shrubby plants how about trying the plumbago....It's a shrub that'll grow about knee high and has very beautiful light blue flowers. The Sweet Almond is a wonderful shrub that will grow quite tall......possibly 8 ft. or more tall. It's evergreen leaves are quite tough and when it's blooming will certainly scent the area it's planted in. And.....it's the best butterfly and bee attractant I've ever seen. Finally try the flamingo plant.....beautiful pink flowers...long lived and gorgeous and if you're really a patient person....try the purple firespike.