Which cultivars would be best to be able to take the hot (100ð+ F), dry August heat in Dallas, TX (8a) or just south of that (8b)? http://www.exotickerostliny.cz/en/katalog-rostlin-othermenu-95/tomely-othermenu-85/68-diospyros-virginiana.html "ThereâÂÂs only one condition persimmon ideal to our climate must fulfill - it has to have 90 chromosomes and originate in northern persimmon cultivation areas that have climate similar to Central European climate and microclimates. The second variant with 60 chromosomes is completely useless here, because it lacks the frost hardiness necessary to survive in our region and has too long vegetation period which would only mean that the fruit would never be able to ripen here and the persimmon tree will only hardly survive each winter." Does this perhaps imply that 90 chromosome varieties are cold-hardier and 60 chromosome varieties can take more heat? Because I need the type that can take more heat & drought... http://arnoldia.arboretum.harvard.edu/pdf/articles/1982-42-4-two-promising-fruit-plants-for-northern-landscapes.pdf "The second race (hexaploid with 90 chromosomes) is thought to represent a more recent evolutionary change. It predomi- nates in areas north and west of the southern Appalachians. This race, which may deserve a separate subspecies rank, is more vigorous, cold hardy, and drought tolerant than the first. D. kaki also has 90 chromosomes, and efforts have been made to obtain an interspecific hybrid." Or are the 90 chromosome type (or Oriental varieties) actually more drought and/or heat-tolerant? Also, a self-fertile type with a taller (vs low & spreading) habit would be nicer.. Here is a link that might be useful: Diospyros virginiana cultivars This post was edited by blakrab on Tue, Mar 25, 14 at 13:23

The book is older, but the classification doesn't change the characteristics. So now: Cimicifuga Racemosa = Actaea racemosa Cimicifuga americana = Actaea podocarpa Cimicifuga rubifolia = Actaea rubifolia Cimicifuga foetida is a european species. On the Actaea Racemosa, it mentioned that the flower have a sweet, fetid smell. On the other hand, there is a cultivar of Actaea Racemosa call Black Negligee which supposely have a tropical fruit smell. Unfortuantely, it's often listed as Cimicifuga Racemosa Black Negligee or Cimicifuga Simplex Bllack Negligee. I am unclear on if there is a difference between simplex and racemosa. Paul

A cultivar is not likely to become any more invasive than the native plant; they are, after all the same species and any genes available for sharing with the native plants will have already been in existence. From an ecological point of view, it depends what kind of cultivar is being planted. If the plants are vegetatively propagated then one has the debate about genetic diversity and maintaining a diversed gene pool. If selections of tetraploids, then the plants may be sterile and not a food source for seed eaters or the flowers may lack nectar for insects. In a large restoration project for a wild area, one would want to use unnamed, open pollinated seed to maximize the gene pool for sustainability. In a home garden, one is not relying on self seeded plants so diversity is not as important. As a native plant gardener,the "unimproved" versions of plants often have smaller flowers and are less predictable than the cultivars. This endears them to me, but traditional gardeners may prefer "better" plants. So I would rather see someone using a native cultivar than using a non native.

I do not know about the holly but as for the native perennials that are for full sun there is a lot!! There are quite a bit of list to look at online for native plants. Though I will tell you now some that are native tend to be aggressive in reseeding. Tn coneflower is one of my first thoughts, some types of gallardia is another good one. Phlox paniculata, turtlehead, chocolate flower, some rudbeckias, some coreopsis. A lot of genus of the rosa family. Passifloras... the list goes on and on. I do not know if you grow from seed but a great site for native plants is prairiemoon.com. They have a great selection of plants and they also have pretty reasonable prices for the amount of seeds you get.