You could ask these nice people: http://www.bovees.com/ Who are the US authorities on vireyas, apparently, However I would also try some Australian gardening forums if you can find them; specifically ones for people in Caires, Darwin and other truely tropical parts. The collusion between Commonwealth culture and tropical climate could well mean they are particularly inclined to growing such plants if they exist; even in mild, oceanic Sydney the vireyas are used as garden subjects so I think, overall, they probably have more expertise with them as a country than anyone in the US. Or even a Florida gardening forum though I suppose it's only Miami and south where conditions are similar to yours. Obviously the various standard southern indicas and southern native Azaleas grow around northern to central Florida but I don't know what their southern limit is. For example, I found this in google: http://www.camelliaglen.com.au/

Also, find/buy/borrow local and regional gardening books, starting with the Southern Living Garden Book, any by Toby Bost (although he is SC), Elizabeth Lawrence (older but still very good), etc., etc. The climate is VERY different, and a number of plants that thrived in NY won't grow here at all, some will struggle, some will be annuals instead of perennials, and some will thrive. The summer heat and humidity will do in a number of plants. Become familiar with your AHS Heat Zone, and utilize it whenever possible; some growers/nurseries don't use it, but it will tell you what is likely to survive your summer. Here that's the major plant killer for some of the ones you may be familiar with. There are any number of plants and shrubs that can be grown here that wouldn't survive a winter in upstste NY, but that manage very well with Southern summers. Some may take a short break in the worst of the summer, and then rebound in the cooler weather of Sept. and Oct.. Unless you gave your lavender EXCELLENT drainage, it may not survive - I keep struggling with them, but they keep dying on me, from too much wet for too long, on my clay, despite being in slightly raised beds. And for some reason, I can't seem to get in sync with their needs in pots. You don't say if you have mostly sun, or mostly shade, or a mix - I am assuming mostly sun from what you have planted already. Daylilies will thrive, but get mostly reblooming ones so they flower for most of the summer; my Stellas and Happy Returns still have a few blooms even now. Unless you really like the color, avoid the brassy gold of Stella d'Oro, as there are softer and easier colors. I will admit I do have it, and they do bloom just about continuously. The Black-Eyed Susan should thrive also. You SHOULD get blooms from the tulips and hyacinth next spring, and MAY have them in the next few years, it depends on the winter as much as anything else, and that can't be truly predicted. Mine are variable, usually coming back, but too often getting blasted by the heat before they do more than just open. Last spring, most of them were attractive for about a week. Unless you have a good watering system, there will probably be a period of drought/no rainfall during the summer, when you WILL have to water at least part of your garden. I assume you are on city water, and starting with a blank slate as far as old, established plantings go. That being the case, plan for using as little supplemental watering as you can, while, at the same time, still giving things good drainage. A good mulch - double-ground wood is good - helps keep the soil evenly moist and helps improve it over time. Unless you DO have excellent soil (and even then, don't), DON'T put down any of the landscape cloth - it does allow rain through, and stops many weeds, but it usually becomes exposed, is nearly impossible to plant through, and does NOTHING to improve the soil under it. Get a soil test done on your soil, so you KNOW what additives, nutrients, fertilizers you really need to add. Most of the ornamental grasses do very well - avoid most of the miscanthuses - they have escaped gardens here in the foothills and are becoming a problem in the wild. In fact, get a copy of the invasive plants in the South, and try to avoid them all! As far as edibles go - you can plant lettuce, spinach, kale, peas, etc., now, and have them early in the spring, if not all winter. As suggested above - consult your county's Agricultural Extension office.

Hi Amazin , sorry I'm new at this web stuff ( mostly just a lurker) and couldn't find were I wrote to you the 1st time ... me feel so dumb with this puter stuff... but yes I have 9 begonias and 6 are from Logee's, some are named and other are ( pass a along's ) ..... Named ones= Begonia " Richardsiana" B." Snow Capped " B. "Tea Rose" B. "Hot Tamale" B. "Good and Plenty " B, "Tiny Gem " B. " Silver Queen " The Richardsiana has in pass week took a big flop , and so not sure whats up with it , taken it back into house , hope it was just heat stroking from 100 + daze we have been in for pass couple of weeks here in nastyville , so not sure about it. Two other's unknown named ones but pretty just the same and last one I think mite be B. " Sophia Cecile " not sure. I see you have " My Special Angel " have been looking at it in the catalogs . sorry I'm so long winded.... but sure there must be something in your long list that we can work with . P.s. I wont make it to any plant swap so..... not sure how we would do this if we've a mind to ???? But thanks for your time and effort if thats the only way .

Hi! I am so sorry to have to post this, but I will be unable to attend on Sunday. I just picked my daughter up from school about an hour ago. She's vomiting and has the stomach bug (its been going around at school and I've been holding my breath till she got it) OF COURSE! She gets it the weekend we have plans. When I got the call I was actually outside setting up my pots with dirt for transplants. I am so sorry and very upset that I won't be making it :( I have a couple of side trades I was suppose to be doing on Sunday as well. If you still want to do them I'd be happy to mail the plants. It's okay if you don't want to too. I soooo apologize to everyone! I hope you all have a super time!! vina