The practice of xeriscaping varies from region to region in California. 
Plants which are appropriate in one climate may not work well in another. 
The moist northwest may even be considered inhospitable to sturdy plants of the desert south. 
Landscapes need to be planned to be compatible with locally 
available resources, including water, soil types and sunlight.

California's limited supply of water, subject to ever increasing demands, 
is just one resource saved by xeriscaping. This results in immediate cost 
savings through lower water bills. Xeriscaping can reduce the amount of plant 
trimmings which must be disposed of or otherwise managed,
 thereby helping your community, and ultimately you, to save resources.
 A reduction in plant trimmings can reduce the amount of labor needed 
to maintain a given landscape. Or, put another way, reduced plant maintenance allows 
more time to be spent on other aspects of landscape maintenance, or on another landscape account.

Xeriscapes generally require less fertilizer and pest control measures than traditional landscapes.
 Because pesticides and fertilizers can inadvertently harm beneficial organisms, as well as impact air 
and water quality, reducing their use is a good idea. And, of course, using less of these materials saves money.

While indigenous plants are naturally accustomed to local climates and therefore 
good choices for water and waste efficient landscapes, xeriscaping doesn't mean 
planting California native plants only. For example, one could draw from many 
available colorful drought tolerant plants native to other "Mediterranean" climates such 
as Southern Europe, North Africa, Western Asia, South Africa, and Australia. 
There are many excellent books that provide further information on this subject  as well as 
a growing number of nurseries that specialized in xeriscape plants.