Although we’ve xeriscaped front and backyards of our last two houses our climate is different from yours. I believe Lauren Springer lives in Colorado and has some wonderful books that could be a great inspiration to you. High Country Gardens used to sell plants and plans for some of her designs but that was some years ago.

You certainly can have a water thrifty yet beautiful yard and its great that you are looking into it!

I'm curious about the big wooden structure on the left. What is it? A snow fence???

I second floral_uk's question - that's cool looking! What does it do?

So, just so I understand - what are we looking at? Is that the back of your house, with those nice doors? (Hi doggie!)

And is your yard laid out East to West, North to South? I can't tell. What is making those shadows on the ground?

I ask because one of my favorite things is a seating area. It doesn't need to be fancy, just comfy. And shade is crucial. Also I think I see a bbq? Yum.

The wooden thing is some sort of trellis. Truthfully I’m not sure exactly what it is but it’s neat looking! The right side is south, left side is north. Near is west, far is east!

DDD - I wish I could have a fluffy, green-eyed cat permanently lounging in my garden!

Some option

Hmm. I wonder about putting a narrow pergola along that right wall? You could then put a sun-resistant fabric over the top of it during the summer, which might make a nice place to sit. And you could put in a nice little fountain. (To me, the sound is the important part - so, it doesn't need to be large.) I think being able to sit in a nice comfy chair and gaze at the yard is one of the best things in life. Not that I ever seem to manage to do this myself.

What happens at the end of the garden (the area from which the photo was taken)? Is that a garage area? (And did I already ask this? I can't recall.)

Meanwhile, have you been living there a while? Is there any way to find out who put in the trellis on the left, and what did they grow on it? Maybe the neighbors will remember. Since it's there, you may as well take advantage of it.

And as for the bugs in the lawn, have you tried your local county ag people, for advice? I find ours to be helpful. Or maybe the people at the nursery.