Hi there 4getMEknots
Your front yard looks structured and organised with the fox row and these highly grown bushes! Would look amazing, if there wasn't the issue with the drought!
What Yum Yum put in, sounds reasonable, certaily worthwhile to check on!
I'd suggest to plant different shapes and hights of plants, grasses and flowers, which don't need to be irrigated. If you chose domestic plants, it would create interest for wildlife such as bugs and bees and you could observe the seasons.
Secondly, planted plots look more spaciously!
Good luck and best wishes