Maybe I dislike them so much because I don't know how to trim them nicely, and I don't care for their location. You are right, they do look nice and green right now. Typically they are not so nice looking, because I don't have a working watering system, but we have gotten lots of rain, so they are healthy looking now.

Anything more than a postage stamp patch of lawn would not be advised in your area and even more so without a functioning irrigation system!!

If I were you, I'd learn to like xeric or desert landscaping as that is what is going to do best for you. It doesn't have to be thorny or spiky and it can be quite colorful. What it will do is withstand both your summer heat and perpetually dry climate, which water hogs like a lawn and roses will not!

Take a look at some California Friendly plant lists for a huge number of very xeric or drought tolerant plants that would work for you and provide lots of a color and a relatively lush appearance.

Rosemary is easy to trim. It's very forgiving. Just go over it with the shears. And, of course, cook with it.

I would not attempt lawn until your trees are larger. Even then I would not recommend it.

I agree the placement of the Rosemary is not appealing.

How are you watering these plants?

You could plant African Daisy in front of the porch. Either Arctotis or Osteospermum.

I also live in California in an area that can get very hot. Some of my plants are Nandina, Pittosporum tobira, Podocarpus, Myrsine africana. None have the typical desert look. If I did not have shade from mature trees I would have to water much more frequently or choose different plants.

It looks like your trees are suckering from the bottom. Do you know what type they are?

Scrolling then this thread and was looking at @emmarene9 plant suggestions. I found your plants interesting but after research it stated that they enjoy moist soil. I know you mentioned you live in CA, but are you in the high desert? I am curious if the nandina plant, pittosporum tobira, podocarpus, and myrsine Africana can withstand the high desert climate since all sources I’ve research state these plants like moist soil.

They are not xeric as they can't survive on only the rain. They are low water though. I never water my Podocarpus since they are well established. I have Podocarpus macrophyllus 'Maki' and Podocarpus gracilior The small Pittosporum tobira Wheelers Dwarf is not low water but the tall one is.

Myrsine africana only needs occasional water once established. It has a tap root so it cannot be transplanted. Make sure you plant it where you want it to live. I never water mine but I have partial shade. I am not sure how they would do in full sun. My Nandina in the shade does not need watered but in the back I grow them in the sun and they do need occasional watering at least in July and August.

I am in the Sacramento area and it does get over 100 here. However, your soil could be different than mine and may hold less moisture. Mine is what the Uni calls silty loam.

A few plants have disappointed me because they are called low water plants but in my area they do need regular watering once it is over 95 or about. Gazania is one. I removed my trailing Lantana because it needed so much water.

I don't know why I forgot to mention Cistus. It is a low water plant and does not care about heat. Some get big but there is a low variety. Russian Sage has same needs as Cistus. The one I have is called Blue Steel.

If you do not object to plants with gray foliage you can find many that need little water or no water once established.

One plant I want to get is Hesperaloe parvaflora. It has a grassy look and flowers as well.

I used to have Cushion Bush. It was truly xeric. It lived only on the rain that fell in winter. In fact, to water it during the dry season would have shortened it's life span. It lasted about fifteen years.

The proper name is Leucophyta brownii.

The best way to learn a plants true water need is find someone who lives near you that grows it.

Very interesting! I appreciate the information as I am currently looking at landscaping options. Thank you !

You can put your zip code in this website and find California natives that will grow in your area. https://calscape.org/