3. Texas Xeriscape

It's becoming impossible for me to ignore my shaggy front garden with its hodgepodge of plants, bricks and abundant weeds that don't give much curb appeal. Forever obsessed with xeriscaping, I'd like to balance the charm of my 1923 wood frame home, whilst adding some modern (and low-water) touches.

The term xeriscape was first used in 1985 and is a method of landscaping for arid and semi-arid climates. It utilizes drought tolerant plants, mulching and water-efficient irrigation techniques.

There are a lot of things on my to-do list this year, but while I slowly tick things off, I'll share some of the gardening inspiration I've found on Flickr:

1. What I love most about this Pasadena garden is the river rock flower bed paired with the muted colors of the plantings as shot by bewbrooks.

2. This serene path of concrete pavers was designed by Jeremy Levine Design.

3. A nice example of Texas xeriscaping, captured by Aka Hige.

4. Mezuni's photo of a terraced garden made of rusted steel is striking.

5. A mixture of native grasses and Russian Sage, as photographed by one2c900d.

6. Evan Palm Springs can bloom with color if the right plants are chosen as captured by JoeInSoutherCA.

7. Another lovely example from Jeremy Levine Design.

8. Gardener Susan shot the lovely Austin front yard of gardener and blogger, Pat Penick.

9. A pair of variegated succulents by a.dombrowsky at the San Diego Botanic Garden.

10. Newtown graffiti snapped this shot of cascading barrel cactus at the Sydney Royal Botanic Gardens.

(Images: As linked above from Flickr, licensed for user under Creative Commons)