Your gulf coast is similar to my subtropical Florida - u wanna purchase tubers mail order. Check out the Georgia dahlia society ! they have a page u will be directed to that lists all heat tolerant varieties- also, investing in a shade cloth will help too or some afternoon shade. I've been gardening a while but this yr I went crazy & bought & planted 42 tubers from personal sellers on eBay- Amazon & Etsy & also from swan island dahlias & a few other reputable dahlia nurseries. This is my first yr of "seriously" growing dahlias. So far kelvin floodlight, Steve meggos- kids climax - zorro & a few others are growing faster than the other heat tolerant ines but plz stick to heat tolerant varieties- it'll give u a better chance of success. My friend lives in Houston & planted a bunch of tubers last yr & had some over winter & grow well into the summer but they're finally taking a beating from heat & insects. If u don't hurry it not going to have much time for fall blooms bc they take 3 mo to flower from planting the tuber. Also, online there's a couple websites that list other heat tolerant varieties that aren't on the GA dahlia list. Good luck ! :)

Thank you all! Is there a “better” variety of oleander to choose? Can I get the height without the massive spread? Will research the other bushes! Thanks for all recommendations! @NHBabs I wish I could deepen the bed, but this is the only access point for heavy equipment for backyard & seawall repairs; need to keep the accessibility. Did think for layered planting could do a tall/long trellis (equivalent to vertical poles w horizontal wire to be completely covered w vine?) with Confederate Jasmine (in wind protected areas it loves it here...so wondered if it could handle the unprotected crazy N wind). Although, then would have to make sure trellis/structure can handle the winds & weathering...so a single stick in the ground planting would be easier...ps: I’m determined to have my ginger in this yard somewhere, even if it can’t be here! The concrete windblocks are so interesting! (An art form!) I’ve never seen them down here!

Cool, thanks. A new genus for me, and it looks like its presence may attract a new butterfly too (larval host for goatweed leafwing). But that's probably not enough enticement for me to let it grow and disperse its seed...

Do you or have you lived in that climate? I suspect that if you have, you would not be asking this question. I live in a Gulf South climate. With a whole house fan, I imagine that you will wake up every morning not cool enough and very wet-feeling. The economics are questionable as well. If your mechanical cooling has to dry the house out every day, it may cost more than it saves. Someone has probably done those engineering calculations. Cost for humidity removal competes very well with temperature reduction in this climate. Keep in mind that although keeping a home cool all day, or drawing the temperature down in the evening, keeping the house cool in the night is a modest electrical demand by comparison. You are pumping heat against a very small gradient. I'd concentrate on building a home with energy efficient features. Hire an energy rater (Resnet or BPI) to guide you in making the most efficient choices for your money. LSU and Florida's land grant university make recommendations for construction in this climate and probably so do land grant universities in TX, MS, Georgia, Alabama.... Here are some examples of the kind of resources you might find useful in your planning. A good energy rater will already be familiar with these or the concepts: Louisiana State University AgCenter. Building Your Louisiana House. Homeowner’s Guide to Shaping the Future for Louisiana Living. 2002. I can't find a link right now, but all the information should be found here along with lots of other information LA House Humid South—Creating Comfort and Controlling Cost Research Report - 0214 November-2002 Building Science Corporation Abstract: If you don't do anything else along these lines, pay attention to this list: Joe's top ten Honestly, for new construction, I'd be looking at concrete insulated panels -- no termite problems, very wind resistant, and very easy to control indoor climate.