In the last year or so, we've seen a lot of new & cool plant decor techniques. If you're a plant novice or too busy to water frequently, buy these plant kits that literally water themselves. Surround them with easy to maintain plants like cactus.
Sensory Gardens: "Use plants that play on the senses, such as fuzzy lamb's-ear, textural succulents, or fragrant lavender." (though not many eat it, lamb's ear leaves are edible, and most fleshy succulents are edible)
Money does grow on trees...and on bushes and vines and groundcovers, too. With edible landscaping, saving money never looked and tasted so good! http://www.bhg.com/gardening/vegetable/vegetables/edible-landscaping/?socsrc=bhgpin042415ediblelandscapin