Hoovb, this isn't really a simple yes or no type of question. I haven't found the roots to be an issue for me, as the Metrosideros Collins is very tolerant of both long term container culture with very confined root area, and amenable to close understory plantings close to the trunk, if you limb up or thin out growth to admit light to reach below a typically very dense canopy. The one you see in my photo forms adventitious roots along the trunk that grow down to root into the soil, similar to some Ficus trees, so if you don't like this quality, it may drive you up a wall. I don't really know what ultimate size this plant might reach, because this examplar is only 8 years in the ground, and I prune it once a year to keep it about ten feet tall so it doesn't block the neighbor's view of the bay. The trunks were always a multi from initial planting, and are about a foot clear of the wall foundation, close enough that some adventitious roots try to attach themselves occasionally, but they are easily pruned away if done once or twice a year. It tends to be deep rooted of soils allow, and the roots will also tend to follow any water, so definitely don't plant over leaky sewer or water pipes. The roots are amazingly dense growing and quite vigorous, a quality in combination with the waxy/fuzzy foliage which gives it it's salt and wind tolerance near the beach. If planted in a tight situation, I'd say the ideal would be to plant 3 or 4 feet away from structures, and expect that it might grow to 18 feet tall by across with age.

dchall, I assume your photo was taken in San Antonio? Here's the big difference between CA gardening and gardening in most of the rest of the US. In San Antonio, as elsewhere in the US, you get rain during the spring and summer months. A drought for you would be less rain during the growing season. In CA we get zero rain during most of the spring and summer, always. If zero rain is the definition of an extreme drought then CA is always in extreme drought in the late spring through early fall. All of our rain comes in the winter. It is not unusual for us here in Southern CA to get no rain at all, not even a drizzle, from April to the end of October or even into the middle of November. With no rain at all and temps in the 90s and above the jasmine in your photo would not survive.

We have moved from perennials to slow growing interesting conifers. Much less maintenance or (diaper changing) as my son calls it. With some research, you can find dwarf conifers, small maples, wonderful ground covers and have a great look all year. Mix with some Mediterraneans but be warned that they tend to be short lived and do require time to keep them tidy. Depending on your neighborhood, flowers next to the sidewalk can be very tempting to children and even adults who help themselves to the blossoms. Perennials need to be deadheaded and watered all summer - even the drought tolerant ones. Start slow - build the backbone with conifers, a few nice sized rocks and then if you want more color, add a few perennials like the ones mentioned above.

Yes. You do. Wish everyone would show up here with a base plan as it would make giving clear feedback much easier. My picture alludes to their being larger trees farther out from the house, as in street trees. Some of these may already exist, but if not, they could be useful for the overall picture you're creating.