I was browsing the internet for reviews and/or comments about Wild Swan and this thread came up. So I'll ask here. I planted mine in the Spring of 2015 and still no blooms. The foliage seems healthy, hasn't wilted despite this past hot summer, but not as full as I see in photos posted here. There is even new growth coming from the center. However, no blooms. It is in semi shade until 2pm. and then gets full sun for several hours. Good soil with leaf mulch. I'm wondering if I should move it and try again somewhere else, but I'd hate to lose it altogether. I don't even think nurseries here are carrying it anymore, perhaps other gardeners did not have success with it here in NE Ohio.

Much to my amazement, some that I planted in two garden beds came back this spring. The greenery is still filling out but I have 5 fat buds itching to burst open! I live in Quebec in a zone that has 4b/5a conditions - depends on the winter. This year was 5a. The label said hardy in zones 8a-10. I ordered mine from Veseys and planted them in 2 beds, a couple of pots and deck planters late last spring. The anemone I left in permanent sheltered deck planters still show no signs of life and are likely goners. The ones in pots spent the winter indoors and are fine. The tough survivors are in beds that had a heavy snow cover, about 3ft high most of the winter. I only tucked a a few corms there as a test. I'll add more this year and hope for the same results. Interestingly, the survivors are all deep purple. I planted a mix of colours. Purple more hardy? Or coincidence? We'll see in time :). Lovely photos, everyone! They were one of the loveliest and longest blooming flowers in our garden - bloomed right through a few hard frosts, into November. If it can happen here, I think you have every reason to hope for/expect success in Texas :). Enjoy!!!

Sorry, I can't comment because we've not yet planted goldenball lead tree or seen any used in our far north Dallas area. Am sure there are a few around here somewhere. Couldn't find the one at the local Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center during a quick look while at a class there - could have missed it, but good chance it fell victim to the expansion and other changes they've recently made. Had considered using GBLT as a smaller replacement for the large Chinese pistache lost in last year's wind storm. But decided to go evergreen with Tx mtn laurel instead. Still at the top of the short list to try as other space becomes available.

There are some that will bloom from spring to frost, and some others that will have foliage that looks good all season. Verbena bonariensis, otherwise known as tall verbena. Must be sheared every year to keep it shorter than you. Echinacea tennesseensis, hard to find, but easy to start from seed if you can find the seed for sale. Notice how this echinacea has petals that don't droop! Centaurea gymnocarpa, which is like a perennial dusty miller. Has purple flowers which are not shown in this photo: I don't know the name of this one but it is a gorgeous ground cover for the sun. I've seen it sold at Lowe's. It comes back every year but it may be a reseeding annual, I just don't know. It's kind of slow to come up in the spring. It spreads to fit the space it is in but doesn't run over the other plants. Absolutely wonderful. And of course Purple Homestead Verbena: All of the salvias are great too. I particularly like the blue flowered ones. I don't have any pictures of those. Hope this helps! These really are Texas Superstars in my book. They either bloom or look good all season long, even on the non rainy years! Last but not least, what is a garden without old garden roses?