Welcome, Dawn.
I didn't know anything about gardening, either, when I started 12 years or so back. One of the tricks that helps me not feel overwhelmed is to focus on smaller bits. For example, do you really like Tulips and/or Daffodils? Roses? Iris? Daylilies? Start with just one of those categories. Or maybe go for favorite colors. Fall-planted bulbs will give you a glorious Spring. You can also use the NGA plant database to look up a group of different plants according to the characteristics you want like Perennial or Annual, color, planting zone--just a host of different points. See what you get. Even if you just plant one shrub or Rose or one bag of Hyacinths or Daffodils, it is a start. Hang out on the specific plant forums. I have strong preferences for Iris and Daylilies, so those forums are the two which get the most of my attention. Keep in mind, too, that gardening is a process. Rarely, if ever, will there be an 'ah, all done, now' moment. I always see something to be added or taken out or moved or SOMETHING.
Good group of people, here, and lots of help is available from them.
http://garden.org/plants/searc...
