Great pictures/info, wieslaw. Helenium is one of my favourite perennials. I've grown numbers of Helenium cultivars. I find Helenium is relatively high maintenance, especially for the need to break up and replanted plants (in upgraded soil), every few years. If not, the plants get shorter and, over several years, peter away. Have had Helenium autumnale and various cultivars of the species like 'Rotgold' (Red and Gold) around for 10 to 15 years. Have also had a very robust, very tall and very yellow one (I assume it is 'Sonnenwunder'), 'Rubinszwerg' and 'The Bishop' for years. We've had 'Flammenspiel', 'Mardi Gras' and 'Sahin's Early Flowerer' for 4 or 5 years. I do like 'Sahin's Early Flowerer' for it's big blooms and long bloom time (and I don't mind staking). Most recent acquisition is 'Red Jewel'. Had it two years. Very attractive and seems quite robust. Believe heleniums have done well for me, in several gardens, because there's been sun, enriched soil, watering as required, staking if required and attention to division (pulling the plants apart) and replanting (as said).

Natural light growing: The seasonal heights of sun light makes the foliage more prominent in variegation coloring. The white coloring of older lower leaves is a result of the lower late fall winter to spring sun in late spring to mid autumn the higher sun may make it look less variegated resulting in greener leaves on the higher row leaves in your pic In this gallery I have one that looks very much like yours with pink color flowering. I find mine to be slower and more stubborn to flower and fewer buds to flower in my pic it also flowers later in the year which is okay for me as I like the variegation as well. For mine with only year round natural lighting growth The biggest draw back of natural lighting is seasonal sun heights effecting over all balanced leaf coloring. Also slower and later in season bud to flowering and slower leaf growth but when they grow they're a good solid leaf that are grown. Odd and low amounts of flowering time is probably just the plants way of growing. (It can also be said If it's that plants time to flower then it will and it does) Artificial Lighting I cant tell you what it would do for certain but I would guess to say the V coloring would fade by time on plant OR That's the way that plant grows. I dont even bother set up AV required lighting I dont bother with artificial lighting set ups on any AV's. Not that you cant if you want to and need assistance, others would have to help you.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v727/majakdragon/cninacabinetfull.jpg This picture shows that the legs are connected to the top part of the cabinet. Value is nice to know for some but not important to me. What I am looking for is the name of the style. From when this style is from. This piece will not be sold because I like it for my own personal use. I think that if I found out that it was valuable I would be afraid to use it for fear of damage. When I get the table refinished and put back together I will post a picture so you can see it in all its glory. You will even be able to see the legs as they are supposed to be...right side up LOL.

My pleasure, glad to be of help. I normally visit this website to learn. Didn't realized that I could be of help this time. By the way, I forgot to mention that this tea set is usually Made in China and is made of porcelain. You may find this same design with various shapes of the cup, tray (dish) and teapot. However, the set you have is the most popular. Even if it doesn't worth ($$) very much, it's worth keeping it if you drink tea. It is considered as a traditional tea set and in some way, it is also a collectible set. In China, different type of tea is recommended to use with different type of teapotware. ie: Oolong tea is recommended to use with Yixing teapots, a purple clay found only in Yixing, China. Green tea is recommended to use with porcelain or ceramic teaware. Since it's porcelain, hand wash this set only. If you don't know much about porcelain, it is lighter than ceramic. It retains heat longer. It is strong but easily chip. Enjoy it!