People hear xeriscape and picture white rock and three agaves. Done properly it is the opposite: dense, layered planting that shades its own soil so less water evaporates.
Gravel raises the temperature
A rock yard reflects heat into the house and bakes everything planted in it. We use it for paths and drainage, not as ground cover.
Shade the soil with plants
Ground covers, mulch and close spacing keep the root zone cool. A well-planted low-water bed uses less water than gravel and looks like a garden.