Alan - That's one thing that I always confuse people with (well, I confuse people with EVERYTHING, but that's a different story). When they hear that I do nothing but roses & shrubs, no grass, they always say "isn't your water bill ridiculous?" and then I explain that my water bill has gone DOWN since I put in the roses and took out all the grass. Why people who live in deserts would want something as water-sucking as grass is beyond me. It looks pretty, but roses are MUCH prettier.
And I'd take your "downsized" garden ANY day of the week! Maybe in 10-15 years mine will be as gorgeous.. but I doubt it.
