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.
Remember Hugulkultur in creating raised beds. Since I like the higher beds, filling the bottom half with prunings and such will reduce amount of topsoil needed to fill bed.