It's facing east with sun Only until 2:30. The cordylines are still in planters. Someone suggested Ginger but I don't want the large spread of it.

It might help to approach it with a theme in mind. Cordyline is a tropical plant from Hawaii while switchgrass is a prairie plant and I can't see mixing prairie with tropical myself. Also consider your zone. Switchgrass grows native in the plains and grasslands much further north in the cooler part of the country and goes through seasonal changes which zone 9 South Texas doesn't have. If you want a grass I'd suggest a Texas native like Muhlenbergia dumosa or M. lindheimerii which will stay evergreen for you. You can grow much more exotic plants than you are suggesting. It might be a good idea to take a ride around where you live and search for plants that appeal to you and get a visual picture to work from when you find a combination you like. Consider some zone 8 or 9 plants, Mexican Red Bird of Paradise for example, would not grow further north and many of us would love to be in your zone where we could grow some of the fabulous plants from Mexico but it would grow well for you. Crepe Myrtle is a safe choice but they are over used, common work horse plants and I see them in just about every median and yard around here in Oklahoma. It definitely wouldn't be my choice if I moved to zone 9 when there are so many exotic plants to choose from.

That is plenty of sun in zone 9 by the way, you can grow just about anything in an east exposure.

Thank you so much. I was looking at African Iris today. Maybe the cordylines with the Iris? These and the Limelight hydrangeas all moist soil. Do you think the hydrangeas work with these? I'm in love with them and want them outside my window but would much rather have a flowing, themed and great curb appeal. I'm planting gardenias in front with azaleas and though I could mix in some small tropicals. ?? Getting rid of the yucca. Got rid of most everything except the Blush pink nandinas on the right. Dug up cordylines and now they are waiting.

If you love something I think you should plant it. The African Iris would give a grassy texture which you could use for adding contrast. Your house looks pinkish. I think grey/blue foliage goes well with that color but those are usually found in desert plants. Something with blue foliage seems like it would look nice in front of the pink cordylines. Maybe the shorter cultivars of Texas Sage (Leucophyllum frutescens)? You'd get the small round and soft blue foliage with pink or violet flowers (or white depending on which kind). If you choose them be sure to get ones that are the right size because they look terrible clipped into balls.

I find that if I select xeric plants they tend to naturally go together visually. I have a sort of desert/dry prairie type landscape and I know anything tropical would stand out like a sore thumb and appear garish. The reverse would apply for a tropical theme. Many dry land or prairie plants would look terribly dull and washed out like a pair of faded jeans at a fancy dress ball. Not every plant needs to be screaming for attention though, its good to have some quieter filler plants blended in to allow the showier exotics be the star performers.

Check this blog out. http://rockoakdeer.blogspot.com/ You might see some plants you don't know about in her landscape & get some ideas. She's located in a similar zone in S. Texas and also has several entries of other gardens down there she admires and has visited.

Thank you so much!!!