What is the maximum/minimum temperature in your back yard in winter?
IF it does not drop below about 45, I would suggest starting to collect Zygos, like Christmas cacti, and the other species that flower at different times- they are photoperiod sensitive and flower in winter. You can get them at walmart for like a couple bucks each around the holidays, and they stand up well to cool, dry weather. They are a hanging plant btw.
And what about foliage plants like 'money plant' or primitive tree-fern types?
Here's one of mine: