It is hard to know the options without knowing the size of the space you have to work with, how high the mound is, the systems design, or what regulations govern what you can do. Here is one option which you may or may not be able to do. Retain the back side of the mound between it and the house. That space could be relatively flat and at a "normal grade (crowned to drian toward the side lot lines. It would have a sunken courtyard affect. You could have a nice walk, a small patio (greeting area), and plant lots of nice colorful plants in it. The area between the road an the wall can be graded to slope toward the road. That could be simply a sloped lawn or a more contoured berm. In either case the retaining wall should be just behind the new ridge that you would create. I've done some designs for fully walled systems. One was a Zen Garden within the walls with an Asian inspired rock garden bermed up against the wall to reduce the amount of wall exposed. - not sure if this has been built yet, the design was while the house was in permitting. I've hidden them with hedges. I have designed some free standing mounds with shallow rooted native plants. These were not out in front yards though. If the aesthetics work, it is safest to use turf grass (at least up here with our cool season grasses) because a lot of shrubs will put their roots down deep. Be careful of deep rooted grasses like American Beach Grass or others that run deep with their roots. If you use turf grass (a regular lawn) have 4-6" of organic soil for the roots to live in. I know that a lot of areas down there have very sany soil (as do I) and that some of your turf grass will grow directly in it (St. Augustine's?), but it would be safer to use a grass whose roots will likely stay in that organic soil layer.

How about growing something on it? You could make or buy a trellis (or several) and grow clematis or roses on it. If you're in a zone with cold winters, you can choose something evergreen like ivy (this doesn't even need a trellis). I can't really tell from your description how much sun this wall would get, but you'd have to choose your plants carefully depending on the light. http://img4-3.sunset.timeinc.net/i/how-to-books/00/wall-panels--l.jpg?400:400 How to make a cheap, functional trellis: http://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/how-to-make-a-cucumber-trellis/index.html

I bought 2 similar idea sorta wagon wheel . I used the small solar lights in them and put them on a pole cemented in a hole in the yard . I may use another one I have and hang from a tree limb with a chain use battery tea lights or even better are the white fingertip lights I got from Amazon..little lights kids wear on fingers on Halloween..they have colors too but they do not throw as.much light. They are great for the glass light covers that are at all the thrift stores. Great for parties n just sitting outside. These types can line a walkway when u have company. These r cool because they are bright n cheap.

In case anyone else notices this post, I have two thoughts. One, they sell dwarf azaleas which in the NE is what I would replace an overgrown one with. Two, you can snazz up a bleak cement porch steps with pots of geraniums. Easy peasy. There are other things top put in pots but that is one suggestion for snazzing up steps. Begonias are a nice substitution if the site is shady. In the winter, buy an evergreen rope to hang in front of the railing, with a few red velvet bows strategically placed.