nova I have the same feelings as you about wanting own-root heirloom roses and have been adding them as fast as budget allows HOWEVER....reading about own-root roses in Florida has me convinced that for longevity they should be grafted onto fortuniana stock (itself an heirloom rose). Malcolm Manners at Florida Southern College has written articles to this effect. Namely that 15 years is the most you can get from own-root heirlooms. (maybe 15 years is more than enough time, lol) It would be fun to learn how to graft own-root heirlooms onto Fortuniana because heirlooms really are SO much better than hybrids in Florida, less disease etc. It's very hard to find nurseries offering grafted heirlooms (coolroses in West Palm Beach is one mentioned by thonotorose. I don't spray any of my plants, that's why I prefer heirlooms but I am always susceptible to a pretty rose face even a hybrid :-) Denise

So many pretties blooming! Love the colors of Nouveau Riche and Coral Majority. Desire of Nations is beautiful! I also like Seal of Approval, Jubilee Ball and Fairest of Them.

Expect to see lots more sun tolerant types coleus. I have carried about 15-20 types this year in 4 inch and some of them in tubs for those wanting instant gratification. With all the variations of textures and colors they really look to fill areas of sun to dappled light quite well. I am seeing semi-trailing to very upright types. Google coleus and you will be amazed at the diversity they have been coming out with. I had several types out in full sun this year and most if not all did very well but this year is not a good test year for the true summer sun brutality as we are all aware so I will have to do more testing again next year. I would add Thyrallis to a great choice for not big leaves but its almost continuous blooming from May-Oct. and it is quite drought tolerant and should grow and come back in all but the coldest areas of the state even when they say zone 9. Loquat is pretty cold hardy especially if you can give it a protected area with southern sun exposure for winter should be OK for most DFW area. I see one growing wild along the road on the north side of the lake. It has been there for years so has survived thru at least the last 7 years that I have been here at Canyon Lake with out human intervention drought, flood, icestorms and it is still growing strong. I agree that that compact Jatropha should grow further north than most realize but with the caveat that a protected southern winter sun exposure would be best for longer term success. Yeh lots of sun makes it happier and bloom almost continuously much like Thyrallis just not as drought hardy and not as cold hardy. Perennial Hibiscus is great but til the luna series needed to be in background areas because of the height issue. I can say that after a second year now with a luna 'red' and a luna 'pink swirl' (more dramatic than blush IMHO) neither has not gotten past 3 feet so can be high front or easily mid-ground drama for the tropical garden (think watering with EE in lots of sun and hibiscus food). Can be grown from seed. Look for more being available in 1 gallon in coming years. The nursery industry is stretching the zones for tropicals because it continues to be in high demand so expect more variations over the coming year(s). Don't forget coral vine or queens's crown or wreath (antigon leptus (sp?) May not be hardy for the coldest parts of the state but most of us should be able to use this tried and true Texas vine (great grandma would have planted this because it is sooo durable once established) drop dead hot pink blooms during the hottest part of summer and neat looking heart shaped potato type leaves complete the tropical look for this winner. Coming from Hawaii (10 years there but 12 year here now) that is great for me because I love the tropical look on my deck if not in my Hill Country landscape. (I do have a spot in the landscape that is more hidden that I am working into a more tropical look but deer are the problem there ): Happy Growing to All David

All looking really nice. I passed up on a hot cocoa last week, it was in clearance. After seeing yours I might swing by & see if they have any still. I like the unusual colour of it. Munstead & Lady of Shallot are on my wish list, so pretty.