Weeding is a fact of plant life. Just please if you pave, make something easy for the next occupant to rip out, and plan for proper storm runoff so you don't flood neighbors. And good on you to be honest from the getgo. Many of us do no lawn because we LOVE gardening in the ground, but many of us also do NOT love gardening and must still deal with it. A crazy suggestion: if you have good sun and soil, consider a way for others to garden your yard in exchange for the produce and maybe some rent? Kinda plantation mentality unless it feels like a community garden, but look at this for ideas: yardyum.com More on reddit.com

I'll start big to small here. Also as an aside, regular maintenance is the key to ensuring this area does not get overrun with weeds and dead plants again. That means semi-regular weeding, pruning/dead-heading plants (usually once per year per plant), and watering in drought. 2-3" of clean mulch is excellent for both of these - it retains moisture in the soil and prevents weeds from germinating. First off, I would expand the bed on the right, it looks very lopsided with the tiny size. At least big enough for a foundation planting of evergreens in the back and a row of edging plants in front. I would suggest cedars/arborvitae instead of boxwood - way less problems, and more options. Ball cedars such as 'Danica' under the windows, and narrow, upright cedars such as 'Degroot's Spire' to frame the windows and add height. I would only use the taller cedars in the back right areas, at the 3 windows near the door. I don't think you really need a foundation planting alongside the garage. It's a small space and the brickwork is interesting. I would stick to perennials, small shrubs, and/or ornamental grasses. For example, I would put a cluster of 5 switchgrass or little bluestem on the far left to cap everything off; both of these plants have a variety of coloured foliage. Echinacea from the end of the grasses to where the wall turns a corner, transitioning to massed black-eyed susan until that wall ends. Both of these plants self-seed, and will continue growing new plants constantly to replace any that die off. Of course, any heat-tolerant perennial will do, but natives are suited to your climate and support wildlife. This will give you plenty of summer colour. Looks like you already have a focal point with the ninebark or whatever it is. Coloured foliage is always good. I would surround this with groupings of smaller shrubs. Oakleaf hydrangea, panicle hydrangea, spirea, holly or winterberry for great winter interest, red-twig dogwood, etc. Last would be edging plants to follow the walkway and fill remaining empty space. Creeping phlox, stonecrop/sedum, 'Rozanne' geranium, and shasta daisies are all excellent edging plants. Coral bells too if you have irrigation. More on reddit.com

Plant native. Plant slow growing or low maintenance plants, eg they don't have to be pruned much. Morning shade and afternoon sun can be tricky. Wet dew on the leaves all morning can cause fungal issues. More on reddit.com

Ornamental grasses might be better. Only maintenance is cutting them down once a year and putting the cuttings into yard waste (late fall or early spring). Pretty decent at competing against weeds - but weeds will always find a way. Grasses like Karl Foerster, blue oat or hakone grass (hakone is fairly shade tolerant) are pretty easy. I'd probably avoid some of the bigger ones like miscanthus and pampas grass as the grass blades are sharp and can be a PITA to cut down. After a couple yrs if they're doing well you can dig them up in the spring, cut them in half and spread them around if you're so inclined. More on reddit.com