I live in Utah, considered the 2nd driest state in the nation, behind Nevada. I'm well familiar with heat and dry weather.

Given the problem with inadequate water to meet increasing water demands in the west and southwest, I recommend you avoid planting anything that requires daily watering to stay alive and green. Especially grass....unless there is a native grass to Arizona which would do well with limited water -- like the water that Arizona receives in its annual monsoon season. You can satisfy your natural craving for coolness with your water feature, which recycles water -- and add water as required to replace that which has been evaporated.

I think you've got a great palette to work with. Were it I, I would place large rocks in your front and back yard and landscape around them. I'd use as many native plants as possible (I'm a real fan of xeriscaping in this part of the world), and landscape around the boulders and/or large rocks. Since you're renting the property, it'll be difficult for you to decide how much money to invest in something that you don't own. If that's not an issue, I'd talk to the landscaper about a tree you could plant in your back yard which would provide shade for your back yard (and the plants therein, as well as for your patio and your house. All of that will help motivate you to come outside.

So many of the native plants are absolutely amazing...they require little water, do well in heat and drought conditions, and by selecting the right varieties, you should be able to have blooms throughout the year, except in the coolest part of the year.

A couple of years ago I visited a friend who had a home in Scottsdale. I was extremely impressed with her large backyard which she had very attractively landscaped. She used the large rocks with carefully selected plants...She had the fire pit with surrounding chairs. She had several trees in the back yard. And no grass anywhere...and it wasn't missed at all. It looked so attractive and inviting.

To keep your weeds under control, I recommend using a weed killer. It takes just minutes to use, and will keep the weeds from growing, from germinating, and will keep your yard looking clean and neat.

As I remember, you moved from the Midwest, and so figuring out what to plant in the arid and dry environment of Arizona is a really change from what you've been used to. The key to success (and environmental sensitivity) is to plant what is native to the area and what will thrive in the hardships of Arizona's summer.

Best of luck!

Did you know there is a Xeriscaping forum here on GW?

I second beth4's comments. I'm in Southern CA, where the natural color for hills is golden (say "brown" and you're immediately marked as a transplant from east of the Mississippi); the best thing a transplant can do with those "Gardening All Over America" books is to use them for garden mulch, because the Southwest is so different. Educate yourself on your natives. Create a small (10' x 10') well-irrigated zone with a water feature in its center, and give the rest over to the glorious beauty of your natives (and the non-natives that can thrive in your location). Plant some vines to cover up the board fence, and more trees in both front and back. Good trees include palo verde, cotinus (smoke tree), and catalpa (will need water); go to your local nursery for better advice. You are not limited to cactus. For example, bougainvillea has crazy wild red/pink/peach/white "flowers" and a tropical feel, yet needs no water and can thrive in some parts of AZ. Plant wildflower seeds for spring (and maybe fall) bloom. Good luck.

Thanks. If I get a small patch of grass (and there are several kinds that tolerate sun and low water) I would have a hose set up with a timer to automatically water every morning if that is what the grass needs. I won't be adding anything to the front.
I don't want a standard weed killer because of the dog. But I did read about using vinegar as a non-toxic weed killer. One recipe called for gin (of all things), vinegar and a small amount of dishwashing soap. There are tons and tons of golf courses around here and all have green grass. There are great looking plants here too. Even roses do well here although they need water. In Mesa there are whole areas filled with orange and lemon tree farms and many people here in Phoenix have them too. But you are right, it all has to be low maintenance and low cost. Thanks for the xeriscaping link too!