The Yuccado Nursery site is really a fun read for those who like to garden with the mix of plants Carl favors. I hadn't realized that they offered such a diverse selection of Dyckia bromeliads in particular, one of my favorite genera when creating a dry garden. The collection of Dyckias are in full bloom right now out at the Ruth Bancroft Garden in Walnut Creek, and well worth a look to see the diversity of foliage forms and colors, colors of bloom, and how attractive they are in large clumps. They are also certainly favorites of the hummingbirds in the area. Also, there may be something to be said for taking Eric's advice about pushing the limits, as the Yuccado site certainly is recommending some plants from South Africa in particular for USDA zone 8b conditions that I wouldn't feel safe planting here in California in zone 9a conditions, such as the Lampranthus spectabilis and various Cotyledon orbiculata forms. They are much more prone to freeze damage and winter rotting with our combination of winter rains and frost than in south Texas, apparently. There must be something to the summer heat developing more winter cold resistance. I am willing to bet that Alex isn't all that interested in the spiny Agave/cactus look to develop his back yard, but they certainly can look great when planted along with softer feathery foliage such as the heat loving Calliandra, Caesalpinia, Cassia, Erythrina, Sesbania, Sophora and Tecomaria shrubs that do so well with the blistering heat of south/west Texas. Mexican Palo Verde/Parkinsonia aculeata may be considered a weed tree in Texas, but it sure turns heads when in bloom here in the San Francisco Bay Area, and makes a great tree for light shade. I would also consider using tough performers such as Brahea armata, Phoenix edulis, Brachychiton populneum, Schinus molle or x Chitalpa tashkentensis as good trees for hot windy summer areas, where water will be in short supply or expensive to apply. But I stand by my recommendation to avoid Queen palms, they will never look lush and beautiful as they do along the California coast.

try posting on the antique rose page and ask if there are any climbing Tea roses (which were bred from warm climate Chinese native roses )that can withstand that climate or Alistair Clark rosebushes, as he lived in Australia and bred roses for Australias' climates. Luxrosa

Came back to this thread to check on Comte de Chambord, yes, Val grows it, and I agree that needs loamy soil, lots of rain, and healthier if alkaline. Comte is rooting easily in my wet baggie, and rooted easily in heavy out-door rain, while other cuttings rot. Comte has aggressive root and can root easily in alkaline sand, but I need to make my rooting-medium more acidic for the cuttings which are harder to root. Pink Pet definitely likes dry/loamy soil and warmer climate (Val's pic. is awesome). But died in my soaking wet clay last winter.

The reason the hot/dry mixes don't work is bc on the east coast the nights are hot and humid, not cooler and dry, like in the west. I have a hot sunny border and have tried many things that won't work in the heat of July and August here (NC). I gave up on poppies too. Bachelor's button does reseed though. Sulphereus cosmos (the orange and yellow ones) grow, but it is harder to grow the others. Here are some that flourish: Rudbeckias (Black-eyed susans), Echinacea, Yarrow, rose campion. These are all perennials and spread like crazy. Nigella reseeds and blooms in May, then has seed pods. The shorter zinnias and marigolds work. Lavender, russian sage, heath, day lilies, crocosmia. But all would have to be watered until established. Some of these could be considered invasive, so be forewarned.