I think all gardens are a work-in-progress. I don't think permaculture means 'no work', but it does mean less work if you incorporate the concepts of no till, and choosing plants that will mutually benefit one another.
Here is an urban permaculture garden in Oregon, that will perhaps give you an idea of how the plants are incorporated into a back yard, using the concepts of guilds and zones.
http://lamafoundation.org/perm...
