I planted some Blue Bedder salvia seeds in another part of my garden. I have plenty of marigold seeds that I collected. My marigolds were the only things blooming in the drought last year. I grow a few types of sedum and I have plenty of prickly pear cactus.

So, for the time being you know what can grow in that heat. Now use the sunny strip to good effect until you start to modify the micro climate. First should be the reflected heat from the wall which can be done in a season or two with vines and trees to the front. Then it will be the turn of the wind tunnel effect which is bringing in more heat. This windbreak procedure will take a few years more but do decide as to how to progress. Somethings cannot be undone. If that strip gets sun all day long then a few Roses may look good. Roses love stinking heat and sun plus don't require much water. Plumerias also love the sun and stinking heat and should be resistant to your cold.
Regards,
Arif.

We are just a few miles away from each other. A Zepherine Drouhin climbing rose would do well in shade if you like roses. Good fragrance and very few thorns, too. Planted one at my sister's (also in Garland) and it thrives. June and Mighty Mouse Hostas did really well for me the last two years with very little supplemental water. Could also try Hellebores, Scabiosa, Indian Pink, and/or Veronicas.

Thanks so much Arif and Debra. I had to google Zepherine Drouhin climbing rose, its beautiful. I didn't roses did well in the shade. Where did you buy yours from if you don't mind me asking? I always thought hostas were water hogs, thanks for telling me about the two cultivars. Last year I saw some hellebores at Lowes. That's a good idea with the plumerias Arif, I have one that is 3 years old and its never bloomed. Its about three feet tall. I'll probably need to amend the soil significantly since its mainly clay. When we get a lot of rain it constantly floods in this particular area.

Cameron: when I am wondering about a certain plant I google it to see who sells it and if they list the hardy zones and any details.

Ok I'll search on google. Thanks Jo Ann

The rose is easy to find. Frequently, Lowes, Home Depot, or even Walmart will carry it, or it can be ordered online. I am with you on the hostas. Only bought some because they were liners through a co-op and I wanted to try them. The June hosta does need a little supplemental water in the kind of drought we had last year and year before, but doesn't need much. And the slugs seem to hit the others before this one. The Mighty Mouse is a champ. Small and sturdy. This is my first year with Hellebores. They are full shade plants and I will see how they do through summer.

I'll check Lowes and Home Depot. I'm glad to hear it can be bought locally. I had a hosta in my garden several years ago, but the slugs made a meal of it. In Spring I'll look around for hellebores and June or Mighty Mouse hostas. Thanks again for the recommendations. Now I'm not stumped on what to plant in my shade garden.

Find a source of well washed clean river sand to amend that clay. Do it first, lay a layer and get a tractor to plough up the soil, should mix the sand and clay fast in one go. If the clay is potters clay then you may have to make a raised bed along the wall which will be free draining. Make a few raised beds around your trees unless the trees release a resin which inhibits plant growth under them. Maybe your problem has been clay that is why your garden is not doing well. Give a serious thought to raised beds.
Regards,
Arif.

A raised bed would be a very good option. I left dead leaves in my garden this year to help with the soil. I have one new flowerbed in the front that's going to be a raised bed. The soil under the trees is the worst soil in my yard.

There has to be a reason as to why its the worst soil. Look at the trees and find out a bit more about them. Some trees like people don't like competition, so they take preventive measures. Some for example like these http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E... exude a sap/resin which prevents any thing from growing under them. A way to check it is to park your car under them. Check the windscreen against strong light, if you see droplets then scowl at the trees. Use a mirror if a car standing there all day is not feasible.
Regards,
Arif.

The three trees are cedar trees, they do produce a lot of sap, because I always see sap on my windshield in the parking lot. I've read cedar trees have a growth inhibitor, but I never really took that seriously since a few plants do grow around the trunks.The trees constantly shed needles every year especially when they are infested with bagworms .

We cannot get rid of the Cedar trees, what can grow under Cedar trees? Now that is a question beyond me from long range. Ask this question of what can grow under these trees in the SandBox forum or if some one can come up with a better forum.
Regards,
Arif.

The only thing that seems to be growing well under the cedars are my purple heart plants and english ivy. I would love to get an Eastern redbud because I read they can tolerate dry shade, but I wonder if the sap from the cedar trees would prevent it from growing?

This one loves dry shade, and has beautiful leaf color change in cold weather.

I love epimediums.Thats a nice one.

You have got the experts now who know what can grow under a Cedar tree ask them for better guidance. My conditions are different.
Regards,
Arif.

Thanks so much Arif and Lynn. I've never heard of Bishops Hat. That's a very beautiful plant. Your garden is gorgeous Lynn.

They come in many sizes (height) and bloom colors. Very tough and drought tolerant plant.
Here are two pages of different Epimedium. http://www.plantdelights.com/E...

Another great drought tolerant plant that is low growing is violets. They are many of them. Here is a very tiny sample. http://www.edelweissperennials...

Hellebore is another, with a mind boogling list.
http://garden.org/plants/searc...
http://www.hellebores.org/

I definitely need more drought tolerant plants. Thanks so much for the informative links. I used to have a lot of violets but they all died. I really love the shape of the leaves and they remind me of woodlands. The flowers on the epimedium are so unique, I especially like the ones with the pink blooms. I'll have to check the local nurseries in Spring to see if they sell that. I didn't know there were double flower violets. I'll also check for hellebores this year at Lowes. Thanks again Lynn for all of those great ideas.