Heather!
with all the above great advice.
If green growth and a tropical look is what you are up for with little to no maintainace in that area,.........Sansevieria, Aloes, and Wandering Jews can be with you forever. As a start of course and give you a great look.
Once you are more comfortable with gardening your beds will change and you will have many new diehard plants to move around from your earlier gardening beginnings;.....or to share with those neighbors who you find that have nothing much growing in front of their house!
