Xeriscaping in Utah - some sources

Yesterday morning I was mowing the lawn at a listing of mine (they're family - I'm not THAT full service), and I was thinking of how nice it would be if the yard were xeriscaped.  Just as I finished, it started to rain.  Then just after that, the sprinklers came on at a house down the street, which again made me think of xeriscaping and how much water they would save.  

I am seriously considering this at my next place.  I have noticed some Japanese garden themed xeriscapes and I absolutely love them.  Japanese maples are a favorite of mine, and I couldn't plant enough of them.  There is a growing number of homes around where  I live that have done really great xeriscaping work to their yards.  My wife and I like to take walks and gather ideas, so we immediately notice if anyone has made a change like this to their yard. 

Through asking around, I found a good xeriscaping resource for Salt Lake City in www.xeriscapedesign.com.  This site has good before and after pictures so you can visualize what your yard might look like if it were transformed.  Another good site about xeriscaping and Utah plants in general is www.ut.nrcs.usda.gov/plants.html.  If you want to know more than just how to hire someone to xeriscape your yard then you should explore that site.  

And finally, the people at Red Butte Garden know what they're doing; just go take a look at their garden and you'll me amazed.  This is why you should sign up for a class there, so you can learn from the pros.