I prob have something similiar to bottom pic, and I would say it is much easier to maintain than a grasslawndessert. I have some garden paths and spots that I trim down, and cut down bushes when they get to big once a year, but never use a lawnmower or bother about weeds. Mosquitos are less now that I have more birds, a tawny owl is living in a hollow tree close to my compost and takes care of rodents. Dug a pond and got lots of frogs that also eats insects.