Thanks Garden Chicken- He's supposed to be yawning, that's why one eye is shut. These guys are sooo much fun to make, they are addictive. I've got two more curing. I'll post pics once they've been leached and planted. I didn't use any molds or carving on them, just added 'tufa mud and patted and squeezed and coaxed the stuff around two plastic pots (one for the planter hole and a small upside down one to support the open mouth), till I was happy with the results. I used polished black stones for the eyes. My mother was delighted with her Garden Grot- she has a lovely garden and was very happy to have a Grot to protect it!

Thanks for your kindness and encouragement everyone! I had fun doing them. :) Jane, the top of the second one is a ceramic artichoke. It was a salt shaker in a previous life. LOL I found it hanging out by itself at GW and decided it could look pretty in my garden as it's retirement home. I caulked the holes shut so hopefully it will remain dry inside. Now I need some colorful bugs made to add interest outside. Will be on the look-out for creative ideas from all of you!

Kalevi, Yes Koi are illegal in my state. I would have liked to have them until I found out I couldn't (North of the border in New South Wales I could). From my reading I'd need 2-3 feet depth minimum for the most part and preferrably somewhere around 10,000 Litres (2,500 Gallon) as a minimum to keep Koi happy. Effectively tripling the pond size would have also required considerable further negotiation with the wife also. On a side note one of the lillies had its first flower open today... the wife is suitably impressed.

Thanks Jolana for the guess on 'Fireball.' I'm not sure. Mine doesn't have a darker inner ring of color like the link you provided shows. I thought it was odd that ARE didn't have the variety on the tag. Maybe I'll e-mail my photos to Dr. Moy (as in 'Moy Grande'). He's over at Mercer Arboretum now. You can't see the bottlebrush shrub behind the hibiscus. It's putting on great growth and should provide early spring red before the hibiscus next year, then provide a much better back drop for the red hibiscus flowers than the boring fence! I'd love to have a white hibiscus, but the white garden really is chock full now. When things even out height-wise, there are some eucalyptus, natal plum, crinums, sweet olive, and a plumeria to the back for height. There's not a spot to spare in there. I tried one of Lowe's cheap clematis starts, but it was too dry and hasn't ever taken off (better go get my money back!). I was going to let it cover the fence until my evergreen shrubs mature. Yes, BossJim that's a white salvia. Without looking at my notes, I think it was labelled Victoria White Salvia. Can't remember for sure where I got it, I think ARE in Washington, though. The verbenas aren't quite as thrifty looking as they were, so they may get a haircut soon. Do you trim yours? Thanks for the jasmine suggestion Roselee. I'll have to ponder that one....(especially since the Lowes clematis didn't grow). Thanks for all the kinds words folks. I'm happy with it. I'll just be stressed when it becomes overcrowded and I have no place to expand!