Low-maintenance backyard landscaping in hot climates — what actually holds up long-term?

Hi everyone,

I’m currently planning a backyard landscape project in a hot, dry climate and wanted to get some real input from people who have experience with long-term outdoor design.

A lot of backyard setups look great right after installation, but after one or two summers, they start showing problems — patchy lawns, high water use, constant maintenance, or surfaces that don’t handle foot traffic well.

I’m trying to design something that:

• Stays visually green year-round
• Doesn’t require heavy watering or weekly upkeep
• Handles heat and regular outdoor use
• Still looks natural as part of a clean landscape design

I’ve been exploring options like drought-tolerant planting, hardscape layouts, and even newer turf-based systems for areas that need consistent coverage.

I found this overview helpful for understanding how professionals approach drainage, base prep, and long-term performance in warm climates:
synthetic grass installation

For those of you who’ve done similar projects — what worked best for you?
And what mistakes would you avoid if you were starting over?

Thanks in advance!