Yushania Anceps, Yushania Maling, and probably the other species in the Yushania genus are all open clumping. Chusquea Gigantea is open clumping however this species does not seem to grow well were I live (it is zone 8b however very close to a 9a environment). Temperatures above 85 seem to be harmful to Yushania Anceps as well however they seem to be somewhat more tolerant of heat than Chusquea Gigantea. It is possible that a Yushania can adjust to warmer climates if given enough time. Other open clumping types include: Olmeca reflexa or Olmeca recta (extremely open clumping bamboos that can supposedly send up shoots around 26 feet or 8 meters apart and bear some type of fruit). The book "Bamboo for Gardens" has some information about it however it might be difficult to find this plant. Also it may be too grow too openly for your situation. The book indicates that Olmeca Recta is only cold tolerant to somewhere around 32F also.

I'm over in FL and experienced a number of days with temps way below normal, below freezing nights for too long. My HTroses did have some leaf damaged due to the chills but the canes were without damage. Quite hearty to be truthful. It seemed almost immediately after the cold lifted, some of the buds sprouted into stems and new leaves. My dilemma was whether to prune or not. Decided to do it. Pruned 1/2 height on the tall growth roses, gentle on the others. All the roses have produced new buds, lower on the pruned canes and more in quantity.

Our native alkaline clay plus organic matter is excellent for okra and also accommodates tomatoes and peppers. Otherwise, filling a raised bed with amended blackland prairie defeats the purpose of a raised bed — to grow a variety of vegetables, some of which may be averse to our native soil. All vegetables are easier to grow, grow with more vigor and have increased yield without the handicap of cotton soil. I'm sorry I can't answer your question re a reputable provider of bulk soil in DFW.

Thank you so much, Dreamr! I did not purchase the clematis, (became distracted) and am contemplating it again. I may purchase it today, but this impulse is tempered by concerns. I am new to Texas, it will be a year next month and although my area is rated 8b, there was probably what seemed like 5-7 days that were cold, and only for several hours. I moved here from Las Vegas, zone 9a, and in terms of Winter chill, it was definitely more reliably cold in terms of its Winter temperatures than what I experience here. This past Winter seemed more like an extended Fall to me, versus any semblance of weeks of significantly colder temperatures. If I find the courage to purchase this clematis, it will grow in a decent size pot where it will be in shade or it will receive about 4 hours of filtered sun. I have been trying to research planting requirements, so thank you for providing information regarding your fertilization program etc,