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Unless one is living around Zabriskie Point or in Saudi Empty Quarter, there should be enough native species to populate a nice garden without requiring much care. For example, to me a lush, bright green lawn of ryegrass and fescue looks out of place in, say, a Dalmatian garden; thyme, rosemary, oregano, sage, heather, wormwood, thistle and others* look much better, especially with an artfully positioned rock or two.