This corner lot was almost all Kentucky bluegrass before getting a xeric renovation that added water savings and design. The bluegrass was removed and replaced by stone retaining walls that showcase small xeric shrubs, ornamental grasses and flowering perennials. The bluegrass was replaced with a sheep fescue lawn that is mowed only once a year for a native look. Mowing this grass less frequently helps it use even less water by shading the ground and eliminating evaporation loss from cut grass blades. The large medians of this corner lot were re-landscaped to eliminate the bluegrass and add gravel blocks alternating with simple shrub planting beds with drip irrigation. The simple design of this renovation adds Colorado style while decreasing the water and maintenance that bluegrass requires.

The parkway in this downtown neighborhood was a great candidate for a conversion to xeriscape from turf. Parkways like this can be difficult to water because of the narrow width, and are a great place to start with xeriscape. This parkway features a small ornamental tree and flowering perennials, ornamental grasses and delicate groundcovers. The middle of the parkway has a stone pathway which accommodates the foot traffic to and from the street. Most of the plants in this parkway should be cut back in the spring and the parkway should be mulched to help the soil retain moisture and curtail weed growth.