I'm in the same z5a as you and I cannot keep a Trumpet Vine alive. That said, I have seen it growing in Hanover which is just west and a bit north of us. The spot it's in is more sheltered than what I have. We are out in the country and it is very open and windy in winter. Someone might be able to grow it in the city, in a sheltered spot. When I saw the Crossvine and read that it was a relative of the TV and an annual that set seeds, I thought it might be worth getting, even if I have to start a new one each year. Marg

Kudzu, I found some nice, but standard cycads at IKEA. Is there any avaiable in you9r area. I can't think of an online store that sells them, those I shop out usually sell tropical C&S's. Are you planning on keeping cycads yr round? Be careful if you buy a Sago..They don't like wet feet in winter, especially if nights get cold..My last Sago rotted by watering at night, what a big mistake..let me know if you plan on bringing in at night or leaving out yr round..Toni

I just called Shades of Green in Frisco, and they said they had yellow crossvine last year, but don't have any currently. They said that they would likely have some in the summer. Rick, I was specificaly looking for a genuine yellow crossvine, evergreen, same leaves and everything as the red and orange variety! As far as crossvine colors/varieties, the redish orange with more orangey-yellow centers are the tangerine beauties, and the darker reds ones are the Lady Dragon. Lady Dragon's seem to be really hard to find. I only managed to find two. I got my crossvines at the Home Depot at the corner of Forest Lane and I75. they have 1 gal for about $5, or at least how much they were last fall. The location of the Evergreen Clematis (I have only been to the FW BG 3 times, so bear with me) was on a tree that I seem to remember was growing diagonally, and it had completely covered it! There was a label nearby, which was how I identified it! The road was right in front of it, and it was sort of an archway to crossing the street! The most striking thing I found about the Evergreen Clematis was that it had BIG LEAVES on it, and was a nice color of green. I saw it just this last fall. It looks like it has been there for a while, since it looks to span at least 40' or so and covered the tree. I hope this helps others! Here is a link that might be useful: Dave's Garden Link to Crossvines

Yes, all of the photos that I post are from local plants. I was lucky to find this one close to the ground, since it was growing on a young Juniperus virginiana specimen, instead of in the top of a large tree.