Do you plan to irrigate?

Whether something is "low maintenance" also depends on whether it gets all the water it needs without supplemental watering, either seasonally or in terms of its growing cycle.

If you're not irrigating, you'll want something that will do well in an average moisture year, and tolerate both some drought and some over-watering, because that's how things roll these days. (But there's no such thing as climate change so STOP SAYING THAT! <---sarky)

Also consider how much shade the area gets, at what times of day. Both NOW, and in the future (if you're planning on taking out a big overgrown shade tree, building a wall or structure that might partially shade the area, etc.) Something that can handle intense overhead noonday sun may not actually thrive much if the whole rest of the day it's shaded out.

Another thing to consider is that you will almost certainly have to make a trade off in terms of how quickly things grow versus a) how long they last and b) how much maintenance they require.

Quick-growing things often ALSO get quickly OVERgrown, and need whacking back periodically. They may also have comparatively short lives, even as perennials (although not always.) Stuff that "spreads fast" may also escape its boundaries fast, and have you rootling up suckers and escapees.

I would think in terms of phases. Put in slow-growing, long-lasting, low-maintenance stuff, and fill in the "holes" for now with annuals and containers. Reconcile yourself to a couple of years' worth of nurturing a bit more intensely, with the payoff of better long term results.

As far as what plant materials in particular work well in this area, there is no substitute (IMHO) for actual go-and-look research. Walk around and see stuff you like. Take pictures, make notes. Take the notes and pictures to 2-3 GOOD locally owned-and-operated growers or nurseries, and get more advice/information.

The more work you put in up front, the better your results will be, even if they may take longer to mature than quickie plantings.

didactically,
Bright

>>Put in slow-growing, long-lasting, low-maintenance stuff, and fill in the "holes" for now with annuals and containers.<<

Sweet potato?

https://www.google.com/search?q=sweet+potato+vine&safe=off&espv=2&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=w1GrU4WuEJGPqgbvj4Ig&ved=0CBwQsAQ&biw=1213&bih=857

or at least I do no maintenance. I should do a little to keep it from getting too overgrown, but I take the "survival of the fittest" attitude....and I have seen things disappear because of it.

This is what my backyard is like:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/103631546

It is pretty shady, so the plants may not work if it is very sunny.

Where I work, they did low-maintenance landscaping, and what has worked well over the years is: Black-eyed Susans, Coneflowers, and the Daylilies are beautiful. The only thing that needs done is to keep it mulched so weeds don't get a foothold.

It has a relaxed feel to it. I like the bird houses.