I used to live in Dallas and LOVED gardening there. Special considerations? Yes, have a nice portrait of yourself made and give it to your loved ones. If you are like the rest of us, you'll become addicted and your family will want to remember what you look like.

My recollection is that ground covers are often used in Dallas under big canopy trees where Bermuda and St. Augustine grasses do poorly. If that's the case for you, you might consider expanding your repertoire to include shade perennials. Seeds are widely available and often free, but at least cheap.

Do a search for shade perennial on this forum and take a look at some of the pictures. The possibilities are endless.

Welcome to the forum!

Smile! I do have a tendency to get caught up in what I'm doing. Fortunately DH is a great enabler when it comes to my gardening.

Except for a few areas, we want to keep this yard looking a bit wild. We're blessed to live in the woods, with over 65 good sized trees on our half acre. There are a few sunny areas, but there are no flat areas other than the driveway. That would have meant cutting down more trees! I don't want any area that has to be mowed more than once or twice a year. It's not an easy task, whether with a mower or weedeater. At least DH has managed to knock back much of the giant ragweed!!

But anyway, you make a good point to consider perennials. I could afford a lot of plants if I started from seed. :)

Liz,
Try doing a search in this forum for tiffy_z5_6_can . Although tiffy's conditions in Canada are much different from yours in Dallas, she provides us with great inspiration for naturalized gardens.

If you watch and wait in the Seed Exchange forum you will see people offering free seed in exchange for a SASBE (Self addressed stamped bubble envelope. Later in the fall, this forum hosts a Newbie seed project where, again, you receive free seed.

Seedmama, the few pics of Tiffy's I had time to look at are gorgeous. Free seed is even better!