Did you mention what part of Texas you are located in? As the state is so big, it is difficult to recommend specific plants that will do as well in all parts of the state. From your photo, it looks like you might be in the Dallas area? The other general question I would pose is whether you want year round shade from a tree/trees, or just summer shade? I'd suggest a great book on Texas natives, if you want to maybe use things that are really well adapted to Texas, although if you are keeping the lawn long term, you have more options, as you will be watering during summer. There is a book called Native Texas Plants, Landscaping Region by Region, authors Sally Wasowski and andy Wasowski, which you could probably find at your local library. If you just wanted some fast growing screen trees for immediate impact, you might consider evergreens such as Callistemon citrinus/Bottlebrush, Eriobotrya japonica/Loquat, or Ligustrum lucidum/Evergreen Privet. Deciduous trees include a lot more possibilities, and Albizia julibrissin, Catalpa, Fraxinus, Gleditsia, Parkinsonia, Robinia, Sapium could all be considerations. You could also consider planting a grove of smaller sized flowering trees as a backdrop to your patio and to frame views against the fence. Winter deciduous trees such as Crepe Myrtles or Cercis canadensis 'Forest Pansy' are both pretty fast growing without getting too big, and would still give you sun in winter, with plenty of privacy and color in spring/summer/fall. If you tell us where in Texas you live, I am sure people could give you more specific suggestions appropriate to your local microclimate.

pagrdnr: Yep, the inca sun does. It's really neat. I bought a couple - my father has them. This year, I'll feed them to push the growth, I didn't last year because I got them so late. I didn't want a bunch of brand new green growth to die in hibernation. (Which they HAVEN'T) They are sitting down there in the cold place with GREEN on them. They refuse to go to sleep. Mom keeps yelling at them. (grin) I told her don't bother yelling at them now - it's almost time to wake them up. Ha!

Well I'm going to break most of your rules but give you something you haven't asked for. The most beautiful tree with wonderful edible fruit. It is less than ten feet tall at maturity. Blooms in spring, with gorgeous white flowers on a weeping tree. "Weeping Santa Rosa Plum." It was developed by Luther Burbank and the fruit is better than Santa Rosa because it has a lot of apricot in its background. Great fresh or in jams. The winter silhoutte is beautiful and since you are south facing you may just appreciate that extra sunlight in midwinter. The fall color is yellow. The spring flowers are beautiful pure white. I can email you a photo if you'd like. I grew up in the East Bay.

I think it all depends on the weather. If it is a beautiful sunny day then there should still be a lot of people there at 2. If it is cold and rainy then I think people will leave early. You certainly have a lot of wonderful plants. If you decide to come I would love one of your hebe 'Carl Teschner'. I have some nice anemone nemorosa 'Vestal', false lily of the valley, small starts of our native trillium and other stuff on my trade list. I hope to see you there. Karen