The word xeriscaping is a portmanteau (a fancy word meaning the combining of two or more separate elements) of xeros (a Greek word meaning "dry") and landscape. Dry Landscape? Sounds like a contradiction, but its not. Many plants today are "drought-resistant" and use far less water (or no water at all) than those plants considered to be traditional plantings. When shopping for plantings, ask for "drought resistant" plants. 
Yard grass is a very thirsty ground cover, and many homeowners are replacing their gluttonous grassy front yard with a more eco-frendly xeriscaping ground cover. Nobody actually walks on their front yard any more, so why not? Looks better, needs no mowing, easier to maintain ... I don't know, works for me. Drought resistant plants and foliage, appropriate to the local climate are readily available nearly everywhere.Originally, Denver Colorado Water Works employees helped coin the term xeriscape, as many areas there are dry, arid and in high altitude locations (Denver - the mile high city, remember). Xeriscape and the xeriscape logo were not registered trademarks (™) and were actually created by the Front Range Xeriscape Task Force of Denver Water Department in 1978. Then, the specific plants used in xeriscaping depended solely upon the climate. Some common plants used in Western xeriscaping are agave, cactus, lavender, juniper, sedum and thyme. Check with your favorite garden supply, landscaper or big box garden center for which drought-resistant plants work in your area. Many of these will absolutely knock your socks off in terms of fullness, shape and color! So, here are a few things to consider before you go shopping for your very own xeriscape dreams: 
• Lower water bills• More water available for other uses and other people (such as showers, sinks, etc.) • Less time and work needed for maintenance, making gardening more simple and stress-free • Little or no lawnmowing • Xeriscape plants along with proper bed design tends to take full advantage of rainfall • When water restrictions are implemented, xeriscape plants will tend to survive, while more traditional plants may be unable to adapt. 
• May require more start-up work to prepare beds for planting than simply laying soil• Some homeowners' associations (HOAs) may object to non-traditional plants. Some states, such as Florida, have regulations that make it unlawful to include a clause prohibiting "property owners from implementing Xeriscape or Florida-friendly landscape." Arizona recently enacted similar legislation, and other states will undoubtably follow. Check your HOA CC&Rs. • Xeriscape beds require periodic maintenance which could be more involved than traditional landscape • Weeds may also be a problem Regardless of any problems or concerns, this is the way to go. Its good for the planet and good for you. Of course you can mix in a vegetable garden that you have to maintain and water regularly, but that very water you'll be using was saved in your xeriscape landscaping! Does that mean you'll have a free garden, free veggies, free food? Maybe.
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