A low-maintenance bed is not a no-maintenance bed. It is a bed whose scale, plants, and layout make regular care feel reasonable.
Read the light first
Sun, part sun, and shade should guide the first plant conversation. Starting with the actual conditions helps avoid a plan that looks right only on install day.
Create a few strong moments
Instead of filling every inch with a different plant, use a small number of plant families with a clear relationship: an evergreen form, a softer filler, and a seasonal note.
Design for the curb
Step back to the street and look at the bed as part of the home. The edge, height, and rhythm of the plant groups should help the front of the property read clearly.