I'm puzzled at what the issue is . . . PHX and the surrounding burbs have no shortage of low maintenance and certainly low water using landscaping resources. The Botanical Gardens would be a place to check out and luckily we still have a few large scale nurseries that haven't fallen victim to the economics of the big box hardware store garden departments.

Every county has a Extension Department that will have solutions for all the problems you are addressing and it is free.:eek:

Two words: selective herbicide.

Keep it away from flowers and the like, but it will kill all kinds of weeds and the grass will continue to flourish. Go to your neighborhood Home Depot (I can think of at least three in the Mesa/Chandler area) and ask someone in the lawn and garden section.