Think of growing a yard this way: mostly gravel (and no sprinklers) but instead wide-spreading plants that can have water efficient water-dripper systems installed.
Sensory Gardens: "Use plants that play on the senses, such as fuzzy lamb's-ear, textural succulents, or fragrant lavender." (though not many eat it, lamb's ear leaves are edible, and most fleshy succulents are edible)
Money does grow on trees...and on bushes and vines and groundcovers, too. With edible landscaping, saving money never looked and tasted so good! http://www.bhg.com/gardening/vegetable/vegetables/edible-landscaping/?socsrc=bhgpin042415ediblelandscapin