http://www.trulia.com/voices/Curb_Appeal/I_am_landscaping_a_rental_duplex_in_Hyde_Park_and_-144261The area to be landscaped gets a lot of evening sun. The layout I have planned is as follows: Gutters from the house will drop into an exposed french drain running along the bottom edge of the house; the bed next to the house will be grade so that the runoff from the french drain runs through the bed, then into about 3 or 4' of exposed "river stones" in front of the bed; This is to divert the runoff away from under the home and also to have a better environmental footprint by allowing more of the water to seep into the ground instead of going to the sewer. Just in front of the river stones will be a flagstone walkway, and in front of that will either be grass or (preferably) some type of ground cover. The area that will be grass or ground cover is approximately 20' x 20', and gets partial sun. Any suggestions would be appreciated as this is my first home to landscape in ATX! Thanks ...en-ushttp://www.trulia.com/voices/profile/Real_Estate_Pro-Austin_TX-577212/http://www.trulia.com/voices/profile/Real_Estate_Pro-Austin_TX-577212/I think the operational words here are "rental property". You probably want to investigate the best low maintenance plants possible. Some ground covers are very invasive, so you want to make sure to avoid these. Most grasses will require more attention than the average renter will probably provide. I have seen some plants that seem to do well, even thrive with little or no attention. Lantana comes to mind. I would suggest more a planted area, and less a lawn/invasive ground cover. You could use something like crushed granite or pea gravel for the bare areas. Good luck. I also suggest that you insert language into your lease agreement that tenants will water the yard in accordance with the City of Austin Residential Watering Schedule.Thu, 09 Jul 2009 20:28:36 -0700