Barbra, in case you don't get a response here try the Cottage Gardens forum. There are a number of Texans on the forum. I'm sure they could offer suggestions.

Just to throw a couple out there ... cosmos and zinnias.

Here is a link that might be useful: Cottage Gardens

I used to live in zone 9b Louisiana, but not sure the conditions are very similar as to soil. However, lantana is a good plant, along with shrimp plant (not sure the real name). These might not be grown from seed easily or seed easy to find, but they sure do grow easily from cuttings stuck in the ground, so if you bought one or two, or got cuttings from a friend, that would work. Pentas also did well, and should grow from seed. In my garden now 7b, I have a sunny, gravelly spot, that I pretty much neglect and grow from seed. These do well: marigolds, zinnia, cosmos. I also planted sedum from cuttings, there are several kinds of sedum. I bet portulaca would do well, also called moss rose, and something called ice plant I think which is a little succulent sort of similar to portulaca. I bet yarrow would do well too. Other herbs are easy to grow and many herbs like sun and sandy soil. Herbs are perfect for a cottage garden and attract beneficial insects and pollinators. Hope this helps.
Enjoy your cottage garden! Laurie

Barbra,

Read this article and see what you think http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/southerngarden/Cottagedesign.html.

And check out the following for more information:

http://www.mycornerofkaty.com/

http://texascottagegardens.com/

http://community.bhg.com/t5/Garden-Talk/Cottage-Garden-Plants-for-the-South-Southwest/td-p/886

Things are starting to look better down here now that we are getting warm weather again.

You might want to add a "Buterfly Bush". You'll have at least three bushes next year. And butterflies too.
Also, the American Beauty Berry bush, a Texas native, is easy to grow and has beautiful purple berries along its branches. Both plants survived the last 2 winters in the Houston area.

These my favorites here in Alvin I love penta and Cleome and Bright lights Cosmos and Zinnas,Salva all take heat and Bee Balm most come back zinnas dont but seed out well same with cosmos.
Angie

I posted on the cottage forum, and took their advise and planted cosmos, convolvulus, bachlor buttons, scarlet flax, gallardia, and african daisy. When I left last week, they looked great. If they all come up, I can start my own nursery. Barbra,

Well, I have alot of seeds that are up. Since most of the plants I have never seen before, I do not know what the leaves look like. I am not sure if I have alot of weeds, or plants. I figured out the cosmos and zinna leaves, but am lost as to the others. I can't wait to see what comes up. Barbra