New to gardening, advice

Absolute noob here! Never gardened before, only just learning as I plan for what I want. I have a south-west facing garden, so I’ve been looking at plants that thrive better in sun- lavender, roses, salvia, herbs. Just wondering how to make them thrive and not drown when we have our random weeks of rain in spring and summer (like this week)?

They’ll be potted rather than in the ground and my garden can get a little water logged in heavy rain.

Any advice, best plants to get etc would be appreciated

TIA