This article should be interesting for you Tim.
@tcstoehr.
http://www.desertnorthwest.com...
As in the pictures throughout this article, I am seeing Desert plants in Washington yards more and more. I see the garden in Freemont, Washington, a few times a year. It looks great.
I totally understand wanting to try this, and we are not alone. There are a lot of articles to be found on succulents in the landscape in the Northwest, lately.
How fun would it be to chop down the Rhodies, and azaleas and replace them with Huge Agave!!!