A thirsty lawn is replaced with a low-water cottage garden that matches this transitional home's architecture. Plants include English lavender, Mexican sage, and reblooming iris.

A thirsty lawn is replaced with a low-water cottage garden that matches this transitional home's architecture. Plants include English lavender, Mexican sage, and reblooming iris.

Grandma's purple reblooming iris in foreground, lavender and sage in background. This front garden with low-water Mediterranean plants in shades of green replaced a thisty lawn and beautifully complements the transitional style home. New concrete pavers provide a clear, attractive entry as well as...

Grandma's purple reblooming iris. This front garden with low-water Mediterranean plants in shades of green replaced a thisty lawn and beautifully complements the transitional style home. New concrete pavers provide a clear, attractive entry as well as “landing spots” along the the driveway.

Concrete pavers set in gravel. This front garden with low-water Mediterranean plants in shades of green replaced a thisty lawn and beautifully complements the transitional style home. New concrete pavers provide a clear, attractive entry as well as “landing spots” along the the driveway.

A multi-trunk olive tree is the focal point in this front garden with low-water Mediterranean plants in shades of green. New concrete pavers provide a clear, attractive entry as well as “landing spots” along the the driveway.

Salvia leucantha 'Midnight'/Midnight Mexican bush salvia in foreground, lavender and an olive tree in the background. This front garden with low-water Mediterranean plants in shades of green replaced a thisty lawn and beautifully complements the transitional style home. New concrete pavers...

Salvia leucantha "Midnight'/Mexican bush sage. This front garden with low-water Mediterranean plants in shades of green replaced a thisty lawn and beautifully complements the transitional style home. New concrete pavers provide a clear, attractive entry as well as “landing spots” along the the...