DD and Nanci and others:
A source I found very useful when I first decided to replace most of what TV provided originally is
www.floridata.com. It's an active and up-to-date UFla site which provides encyclopedic info about Florida compatible growing things.
My impression is that bougainvilleas are a little too sensitive to our rare cold spells; they're very common in South Florida, though. I had some azaleas and some gardenias put in this past spring; neither have been very happy. I'm not sure whether it's because of the poor soil (mostly sand) or too much direct sun or what, but I am, quite frankly, still struggling with my yard.
I would dearly love to have a quarterly change out as do TV public areas, but I can no longer do such labor myself and so far I haven't found a really decent landscaper who will provide the "weekly gardener" I'd like to have! They're still too busy making money by installing entire landscaping packages!
Important (as you really do know) to ask everyone you meet for references, and make sure to see those folks' installations. And, withhold as much money as possible until you're happy with the results!
Oh, DD: sorry I won't be able to help you unpack boxes later this month! I'll be in Broomfield, CO, for my elder daughter's wedding! When you have your official Open House, we'll all come! :joke: