4. Proper Plant Selection - Remember Xeriscape does not mean that your landscape will consist mainly of rocks and cacti.  Your landscape can be lush and colorful.  Native and drought - tolerant plants work best in most Xeriscape plans, but almost any plant is a "Xeriscape plant" if it is placed in the right spot or location in your landscape.  When choosing a plant, you should consider how fast it grows, how big it will get when it is mature, and how much light, water and temperture it needs.  It is critical to match these needs with the right spot or location in your landscape.
5. Practical Grass Areas - Grass is a hardy plant that should be placed where it is the most practical, such as play areas for children and pets.  It can also be used to control erosion.  But grass can also be a landscape's largests uses of water.  Consider seperating it from other plants.  In areas of your yard that get little use, consider grass alternatives, such as mulched walkways, ground covers or beds of drought-tolerant plants.
6. Mulching - Mulch helps to hold moisture in the soil, reduces weed growth, slows erosion and adds beauty to your landscape.  You should spread several inches of mulch - such as straw, leaves, hay, or wood chips around shrubs, trees and flower beds.  You will need to re-mulch eventually as the mulch decomposes.  Many cities and communities offer mulch and compost through local waste management programs.
7. Proper Maintenance - A Xeriscape landscape means low maintenance, but not zero maintenance.  You will still need to weed, prune, mow, mulch, water, and control pests to keep your water-wise garden beautiful.