Info on plants that do well in hot & humid?

Does anyone know of a source for information on how well a plant tolerates heat & humidity? I use "The Gardener's A-Z Guide to Growing Flowers from Seed to Bloom" by Eileen Powell to check out seeds before I purchase them, but it does not list everything I am interested in. The hardiness & heat zone ratings are not always very helpful. Not that I don't go by them quite a bit. My problem is, being in zone 5, doesn't necessarily mean I can grow something successfully. For instance, Digitalis, is hardy in zone 5, but it does not grow well here. It is too hot for it. Thankfully, the book I mentioned tells me it prefers cool, moist climates, so I don't waste my time with it. This is the kind of info, I need. If it likes cool, I don't have any for it, in the summer anyway. Any help would be appreciated. I try to go by the PlantFiles listings, but people don't usually mention that in the comments. Thanks! Pam

Prism,
Being from the hot, humid south I try to get books that are written for my particular climate- such as Georgia Gardening and Southern Living Plant Book.
I believe there is at least one book in the Bookworm about plants in your state.
Also, these books I mentioned [that I have] might work for you too even though technically you're not in the south.

IMO most hot humid climates are about the same- LOL!

Thanks berrygirl! I'll check on some books like that. In the mean time, do you know if any of these WILL NOT do well in my area. I have these ready to order from J.L. Hudson, but don't know if I should get them all or not. Thanks for any input!

ALYOGYNE—Huegelii
ANIGOZANTHOS –Manglesii
ANTIGONON—leptopus
BOLUSANTHUS—speciosus
CHENOPODIUM—giganteum
CLIANTHUS—puniceus
DIANTHUS –haematocalyx
GREVILLEA--Banksii var. Forsteri
GUNNERA—manicata
HELICONIA—psittacorum
LESPEDEZA--Thunbergii
MONARDELLA—odoratissima
OCIMUM--Basilicum Ararat
POINCIANA--pulcherrima Pink
POLYGONUM—aubertii

Prism,
Could you tell me the common names for the alyogyne, anigozanthus and bolusanthus as I couldn't find any info on these?? [My DH has gone to bed and most of my gardening books are in the bedroom-LOL!!] I am not that up on proper plant names and my nomenclature knowledge isn't all that- LOL!!

But all the rest I believe will do well in the summer but of those- a few won't survive your winters though.

Thank you, berrygirl.
ALYOGYNE Huegelii is Blue Hibiscus
ANIGOZANTHOS Manglesii is Kangaroo Paw
BOLUSANTHUS speciosus is African Wisteria Tree
I grow most of my plants as anuals since they don't survive the winters. But if I think they will make it through indoors, I will bring them in. I will make room for them. : )
Thanks again,
Pam