Crinums, hymenocallis, amarcrinum, lycoris, habranthus and zephyranthes - all members of the Amaryllis tribe that are perfectly suited to growing in your zone. They're not always available from basic bulb sources, but are easy to find via ebay and a few other sources, including Plant Delights and Yuccado Nurseries, both of which have very informative websites. Lots of info on these plants online if you just google them. They are sturdy, dependable, and flourish in the heat. You might also investigate hedychiums, ginger relatives with big, colorful spikes of flowers blooming right now, as well as some of the South African bulbs such as the Eucomis, or pineapple lilies. I already mentioned this in another response, but "Garden Bulbs for the South" by Scott Ogden is a great reference for gardeners in warmer zones looking for year-round bloom.

Some of the Hydrangeas are in bloom now, like "Annabell" and my "Quick Fire" is well budded and beginning to open. There are others. Physocarpus 'Diablo Ninebark' finished blooming about 10 days ago, but now has beautiful deep red 'berries'. Itea virginica 'Little Henry' has been in bloom for about 2 weeks. Hypericum are blooming now Many of the Spirea are early in their blooming phase at this tme. For perennials: Daylillies..the early bloomers are getting underway Shasta Daisy..began to open about a week ago Aisiatic Lillies.. are at peak now Asclepia incarnata.. a pink butterfly weed in bloom now Liatris kobold..just beginning to open Echinaceas Heliopsis 'Lorraine Sunshine' Nepetas.. have been in bloom for nearly a month, still look good Stachys Hummelo and Satchys Big Betony..lambs ears with very pretty bloom are opening now. For ground cover, I love the creeping thymes in bloom now.

I have a few of these planted along my west-facing alley where they get full sun and are seldom watered. Flowers can come as early as Thanksgiving and as late as Valentine's Day, but are most abundant in January. The rest of the year, they are handsom clumps of narrow-leaved grass -- a nice alternative to the more common Liriope. I've never had a slug problem, most likely because there are other things for them to eat in the shadier parts of my yard. I would love to get some more if anyone knows of a local source. The ones on Second and Spring caught my eye last winter when I was driving by. One of these days I'm going to get into a wreck! Happy New Year. Here is a link that might be useful: Jim's Plants on Artdish

My neighbor has a whole slew of what I think might be poppies coming up. They too have droopy heads and a very furry serrated edged leaf. What makes their heads droop? Is that how it is supposed to be? I'll have to figure out how to post pics. Our neighbors have a beautiful garden, albeit neglected for a few years(lady of the house, who worked the garden, passed this year). Since we just moved in last July, it has been so interesting to see what sprouts up as spring progresses. It is a bit sad, though. Someone obviously took great joy in tending to it. There are at least 20 varieties of tulips that I can see and irises and peonies will be flowering soon. It's all I can do to keep myself from going over there, weeding and spreading a little compost around! Unfortunately, they have a surly dog and I have 3 little ones and the two don't mix...so I am not able to help out. Also unfortunate is that the house might be a scrape, so all that work will be destroyed! so sad :(