Thanks for the invite, Bubbles....I already am falling in love with this site
... as to your question, my favs to grow in Houston are impatiens, pansies, mums, herbs, roses, bulbs of all kinds, and in Oman where we're posted now and also fare well in Texas are gorgeous giant crown of thorns (the red Gillian variety--gorgeous!!!), the Rangoon creeper vine which is fantastic and is available in Houston, and all varieties of the desert rose, also available in Houston.........will try and post pics when I learn how......
In the meantime, good luck with your baby..............