Aroideana, may I ask how much direct sun that plant gets per day? Thanks. Mike

Expect to see lots more sun tolerant types coleus. I have carried about 15-20 types this year in 4 inch and some of them in tubs for those wanting instant gratification. With all the variations of textures and colors they really look to fill areas of sun to dappled light quite well. I am seeing semi-trailing to very upright types. Google coleus and you will be amazed at the diversity they have been coming out with. I had several types out in full sun this year and most if not all did very well but this year is not a good test year for the true summer sun brutality as we are all aware so I will have to do more testing again next year. I would add Thyrallis to a great choice for not big leaves but its almost continuous blooming from May-Oct. and it is quite drought tolerant and should grow and come back in all but the coldest areas of the state even when they say zone 9. Loquat is pretty cold hardy especially if you can give it a protected area with southern sun exposure for winter should be OK for most DFW area. I see one growing wild along the road on the north side of the lake. It has been there for years so has survived thru at least the last 7 years that I have been here at Canyon Lake with out human intervention drought, flood, icestorms and it is still growing strong. I agree that that compact Jatropha should grow further north than most realize but with the caveat that a protected southern winter sun exposure would be best for longer term success. Yeh lots of sun makes it happier and bloom almost continuously much like Thyrallis just not as drought hardy and not as cold hardy. Perennial Hibiscus is great but til the luna series needed to be in background areas because of the height issue. I can say that after a second year now with a luna 'red' and a luna 'pink swirl' (more dramatic than blush IMHO) neither has not gotten past 3 feet so can be high front or easily mid-ground drama for the tropical garden (think watering with EE in lots of sun and hibiscus food). Can be grown from seed. Look for more being available in 1 gallon in coming years. The nursery industry is stretching the zones for tropicals because it continues to be in high demand so expect more variations over the coming year(s). Don't forget coral vine or queens's crown or wreath (antigon leptus (sp?) May not be hardy for the coldest parts of the state but most of us should be able to use this tried and true Texas vine (great grandma would have planted this because it is sooo durable once established) drop dead hot pink blooms during the hottest part of summer and neat looking heart shaped potato type leaves complete the tropical look for this winner. Coming from Hawaii (10 years there but 12 year here now) that is great for me because I love the tropical look on my deck if not in my Hill Country landscape. (I do have a spot in the landscape that is more hidden that I am working into a more tropical look but deer are the problem there ): Happy Growing to All David

Thanks for the invite. I'm only a couple of suburbs away and am particularly interested in the toad proofing. See you next weekend. Hazel.

g'day there will be lots of varieties of all fruits and nuts you can grow, do some research you will find some of the colder region fruits have tropical varieties. with nuts the obvious macadamia's, pecan's but you may be able to grow walnuts and cashews? you can grow all the citrus's and banana's as well, just with apples, pears and the stone fruits you could have a battle with tropical fruit fly, which you may or may not win depends if you are going to do all this organically and sustainably? we always regretted planting thos soft f/f prone fruits should have stuck with easier to grow citrus. do some research on the native varieties of fruits as well this one comes to mind Aussie finger lime (Microcitrus australasica ) there are many more. here are a couple: Jaboticaba aka Amazon Tree Grape - 'Myrciaria cauliflora' big down side the birds love them too. Carambola, Starfruit. there are different varieties of these. birds could also be a nuisance, not much you can do about them but. fig birds, black faced cuckoo shrikes and crows along with common koel's aka storm birds, king parrots as pretty as they are and as friendly as they want to be don't attract them to your place by feeding they will decimate all fruits including tomato's. then there's the flying foxes. with frost if any might mean some plants need covering until they reach about 1.7 meters high the wind will be no worry and when they grow the could all act as wind breaks. and if you do get frost a large orchard will bring the temp up that degree or 2 and maybe the frosts will be no more? would suggest plant along the contours and use heaps of mulch, around the new plantings and between the rows, you may benefit from doing some rip swalling to allow more water into your sub-soil best to do this before planting and mulching. len Here is a link that might be useful: lens garden page