Need accepted wisdom for nouns within front patio? We have a patch about 8x25 foot in our front yard. ...

We have a patch about 8x25 foot in our front yard.
On one side is a sidewalk, and the other side drops sour due to our underground garage.
Right now we have mulch over it and some potted plants, but let's be honest... it's butt-ugly.

Any accepted wisdom?
Also we are not wealthy, so please don't suggest, say, a koi pond.
Clematis plants growing where on earth not planted!?
Answers:    how in the order of a row of evergreen shrubs ... azaleas would be pretty, especially in the spring.
When is the best time to plant leeks...
Hard to say not knowing where on earth you live. If you live in an area to be precise warm to hot and doesn't get snow, brand it into a rock garden. It is cheap to do if you don't mind doing it yourself, saves water and looks really in order.

Just take out what you have, put down surroundings weed fabric, get a nouns of pretty rock - I like the Arizona Gold, and spread it over your fabric something like 2 inches thick at least. Then buy some cactus and other succulents - don't forget to put within a Spanish Dagger as a focal point - they are the plants that have a couple branches and spiky green tops. To plants push back the rock, take home an X cut in the fabric, plant, after put the fabric and rock back.

When you can afford it, go and get a couple large rocks and place them around - one next to the Spanish Dagger. You single have to water it once surrounded by awhile and it will look great. If you want to put in plants that need more hose down - just put in a drip system until that time you put down the weed fabric. It is really easy to do and not expensive. They own all the parts at Home Dep or Lowes. I have my integral front yard like this and I obtain so many compliments. I have drips going to boil tolerant roses that bloom all summer (Mutabilis), One central olive tree, and after succulents. No mowing and saves water.