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What is a decent, hardy, North Texas patio garden layout?

I live in a lovely (little) condo in North Texas (DFW area) and am quite ready to cultivate my small space; I have a concrete patio where potted plants would work well and a smaller, shaded patio with actual soil surrounding it. I am gone all day long and do not have ample time to play gardner, but I feel that a weekend or an evening here or there to till a bit of land and prune a leaf or two would be rather zen and quite beneficial - it was Basho who said, after all: "I am one who eats his breakfast gazing at the morning-glories" ^_^ Might there be any suggestions for some nice (not necessarily flowering) plants that will survive in my surroundings?

Public Comments

1. cactus, need little water and time a few flower. carnations, look and smell great. petunias, look great as well and all of these are hardy plants. Plus you can always look around your neighbor hood and see what does well in your area.
2. Try reading this site. http://urbansolutionscenter.tamu.edu/ After reading this, contact them and ask your questions. These are the true experts for your region of the world. Anyone else on yahoo are merely rookies compared to the scholars located there.
3. I live in the DFW metroplex as well. Growing things here is always an adventure as the summers are so hot and the winters can be cold. So over the 25 years I have lived here I have come to love and respect the noble holly plant. There are many varieties of hollys available from very small to very large. Dwarf Yupons would work around your patio if it gets at least 3 hours of sun. No flowers, but hardy and they live thru anything. If you live near a Calloway's go there, the people are very helpful and they have guarantees on their plants. An outstanding site is linked below.