Scott Ogden's Gardening in Difficult Soils is the definitive book on what to grow in alkaline clay soils.

Hmmm, lantana--at least one of the more common types, was the only thing I can think of. I have the same kind of patio and that is the only thing I have seen thrive there so far. It seems like daylily would rot if we had one of those deluges this part of Texas is famous for. Butterfly weed is pretty and attracts caterpillars/butterflies, but be prepared to pull it up out of your yard in strange places. Plus, when it is hot and dry it seems to be a magnet for spider mites. Lots of color....I wonder if coleus would do o.k. there? That's as much color as I can think of, and at least it would be cheap to try. Moss rose/portulaca is low growing and will tolerate just about anything.....I'll have to think about it some more and come back.

I have heard Aster is fantastic...I have been having trouble finding it however. Also Anemone?? But I do not know what those are.

Here is a list of plants that I have found, that are highly suggested for clay soil:

Achillea
Aconitum
Anemone
Aster
Coreopsis Verticilata (supposedly the best)
Echinops
Geranium
Helenium
Heliopsis
Hemerocallis
Lysimachia
Monarda/ Beebalm
Salvia Nemerosa

Does anyone know much about these? I went looking at my local nursuries, and they only has 3-4 of these plants.

Jimmy--I saw 3 gallon pots of all colors of geraniums for 9.49 at Costco today (in Houston). I don't know if you have a membership (actually, I don't but I was visiting with a friend!) but the plants looked great. Reds, pinks, fuchsias, and salmons.

I have red clay soil up here and I have great success with the Frikartii Asters. Hard to kill those guys. Have tried Lysimachia a couple of times and gave up, but I might not have had enough sun for them or it got too cold in winter. Monarda was a bust too. Mostly I have amended my clay with organic matter. You may consider digging out some of your clay and removing it completely and add some organic matter so as not to raise the level of your bed. I feel your pain. I hate working in 100% clay ;(

Jimmy, I'm not telling you to do this but the majority of my natives are in clay. I do remember googling plants that will grow in clay but I don't know where my list is
Good luck
jolana

After looking at your list, I am wondering if your source was for Texas' climate- dreadful heat and frequent drought. That sounds like a list for alkaline soils in the midwest. For an example, monarda (bee balm). Not a CHANCE once the heat arrives. Geraniums in full sun will burn. Only salvias native to Texas should be even considered.
Whoever mentioned asters- if you can get the old-timey garden asters, the ones that bloom for only a few weeks in the fall, they are almost as hardy as weeds here. I believe they are purple. My color vision is not very good.

eldo - yeah, that's the asters I'm talking about. They are different from the ones that have the New Englandy names that are sometimes offered down here as garden asters, but I've never had one of those come back. The bluish with yellow centers are beautiful when blooming, but I wouldn't say the plant is too attractive, especially around a patio.

debndal- my mother had those, and they were practically indestructible! She NEVER watered them. She loved that they bloomed about the time cooler weather came in the fall, and they were indeed beautiful in bloom. But I have to agree with you- they are nothing to brag about when they're not in bloom. Since they are at least, what would you say, 30 inches tall, they could be behind something else, maybe annuals. I doubt you could find any at a nursery. She shared with half of Central Texas over the years!!!
Eldo

I've found the indestructible asters at Blooming Colors but they only seem to have them out for sale when they are in bloom which is in the fall. Probably other nurseries that have native plants would carry them. I have mine out away from the house so when they are not in bloom they just look like a green mass, and then when the blooms come they really stand out. They are a great easy plant for a difficult area.

Ok, since asters are so hard to find, how about anything else on the list?

I drive around the neighborhood, and I see ALOT of geraniums in bloom, some in full sun, some in the shade under big trees, both seem to do very well. Im assuming the ones in full sun need lots of water?

How about butterfly weed? Anyone with experience on that? Geraniums and Butterfly weed are readily available at my locals, so is that a good way to start?

How about any flowering shrubs? I know there are alot of shrubs that can take a beating from clay, but are any of them much to look at?

I think Im actually going to remove the top 6-8" of clay. That is what I did along my back fence, and I simply added Topsoil, compost, sand and mulch. Everything there is doing great. So with that said, my plant choices have what, quadrulpled? Any suggestions now? Thanks for the responses guys!

Jimmy

Okay, I know I post this a lot and even though this is more for North Central Texas, many of these plants perform just fine down around Houston too. Go to this website and do a plant search for the types of plants you are looking for. I think you will find it very easy to use - Texas Smartscape.

Here is a link that might be useful: Texas Smartscape

Since you are going to do some soil amending I think your choices can expand. Remembering that this is right at your patio, I would imagine you want things that are going to look good ALL the time, and that would indicate to me using annuals for seasonal color with some "backbone shrubs". How about sweet almond bush Aloysia virgata (can get big, but can be kept smallish) with wonderfully fragrant blooms. Bird of Paradise (forget the botanical name) Most perennials especially native can look kinda of ratty at some time or another, so pick carefully there. I love Forest Fire annual salvia - and it will keep with your tropical theme and reseed nicely. A note - if you use butterfly weed you will have butterflies, sure, and you will probably be fighting orange aphids ALL summer long. To me, butterfly weed should be an "enjoy from a distance" type plant. How about crinums?

I think the crinums and lantana are good possibilities. Louisiana iris might work for you. What about grasses? If any of them interest you, I cannot recommend Gulf Muhly grass more highly, especially for the clays around Friendswood. We have not tried these yet, but I hope to get hold of some bulbine this year, just to see how well they do in various spots. Also, there is a "bog sage" that supposedly does well in the heavier soils that don't dry out fast. Lastly, we have had more "luck" with Blue "Katie" Ruellia than we ever expected. The stuff just seems to sprout everywhere.