If you live in an area where water conservation is a priority, you may want at least part of your landscape to thrive without irrigation. (Keep in mind that almost anything you plant needs watering to get it started and for the first year.) The low-water plan, shown in the image below, works in most climates, with the plants that are hardy in Zones 3 to 8 or 9 (click here for more on plant zones). Special features of this low-water plan include:

• Layered plants: The design is a fairly typical border with the low plants up front, tall ones at the back. Low plants grow underneath the window so not to obstruct the view. Russian olives are the big guys. (Click here for layering in more detail.)
• Plenty of colors: A great deal of silver — from the artemisa and the Russian olive — goes nicely with the blue tones of the junipers, along with the spring flowers of the ceanothus. Seasonal flowers add their colorful punctuation — spiraea in early summer and bright yellow potentilla for a long season.
• Trees and shrubs that require little water: You can choose from several low-water trees and shrubs at your local nursery.