I would put a strong second on the Bur Oak (Quercus macrocarpa) Easy from seed, fast growth and drought resistant when established. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quercus_macrocarpa Live oak would also be a good choice. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quercus_virginiana The English Oak would be fun. (Quercus robur). Fast growth, drought tolerant. Good dense foliage and shade. There are the Hackberry trees. There are several species, the most common is the Common Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celtis_occidentalis Kentucky Coffee Tree would also work there (Gymnocladus dioicus) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kentucky_coffeetree The Yellowwood tree is one to consider. It loots a bit like a flowering beech because of it's grey bark. But again, it has a deep taproot so it is drought tolerant. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cladrastis_kentukea You may want to try the Deodar Cedar. Being in a warmer zone, this tree would probably grow well. It is the fastest growing of the true Cedars and will get to be a very tall tree. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cedrus_deodara The other true Cedars, Cedar of Lebanon and Atlas Cedarwould be very good choices but they are very slow growing trees. A foot a year at most. More like to get 6 inches a year. Another choice for an evergreen is the Sierra Redwood (Sequoiadendron giganteum) For a tree that will eventuall get huge, it is a very good and well behaved tree in it's youth. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sequoiadendron_giganteum Oddly enough, the Swamp Cypress (Taxodium distichum) does not need to be in a swamp and is surprisingly drought tolerant, when established. The seeds for these can be found on line. Where possible I prefer to plant the seed where the tree is to grow. This allows for quickest establishment of the tree and better acclimation. However, you can also start them in pots if necessary. Particularly if there are vermin that would eat the seeds or the seedlings. Google these and see if any strike your fancy. By the way. How much land do you have and how much water do you get? That would be interesting and helpful in getting the trees started.

Not sure about the lineage. I found out what it was by looking up photos of begonias and found a Yahoo vendor with it. The plant in the pot actually died months ago, though I have some that I salvaged that's sent up babies. Gorgeous silver-lavender color, though... like it's a patina of lilac on some silver.

Welcome to central Texas, Lou! I lived in Denton and Lewisville up north for about seven years before moving back to my home city, which is Austin. Check out The Natural Gardener's place near Oak Hill (near 290 and 71) for bulk mulch. You can bag yourself, load in a truck, or have them deliver in bulk. If you have ever heard of the Ladybug brand of products, this is his nursery/garden center. See the link below as it takes you to his price list for bulk items. For your stone, there are a handful of places up my way just south of 620 and Anderson Mill Road. This would be a pretty decent drive for you though....probably close to 30-40 minutes. Here is a link that might be useful: John Dromgoole

I have grown them with very good results in my yard. I'm about 30 miles west of Fort Worth. Those bulbs are heavy feeders after the blooms fade though so they take a lot of supplementing in late summer and fall. I add compost, bone meal and blood meal and earthworm castings if I have any. If you don't feed the bulbs the flowers the second year will be disappointing, and they might disappear altogether by the third year. On the good side, they are practically pest free and as cut flowers they are stunning. I agree with the others here, they do need staking to grow straight because the roots aren't strong enough to withstand the Texas winds. Cheryl