I was in a hurry last night when I responded. The plant in the first pix looked like 'Choc Soldier' to me then. That's why Jeff is referring to his decoder ring not seeing it. Ha ha! I was wrong. Now, seeing last pic, it looks like K. tomentosa, as he said earlier. Sorry for confusion!

First thing I do when I get my plant home is get rid of the peat and soil from the nursery. It is not only The peat and its hydrophobis characteristics that concerns me. Many wholesale growers are not as diligent as we would like them to be. It is the bugs that are in the soil that I can only guess at that . I only want MY bugs. I have enough problems with them. I am still aloe mite, agave bug free . I will ask to get rid of the dirt at the nursery. I take home my plants bare root if they will let me.

prairegirl, Gardenias, gardenias, and more gardenias, Camellias, Oleanders, Sweet fragrant tea olive, (You really MUST get at least one of these), and all the above mentioned plants that you stated you like, they will all live here. BUT, you will want to visit local yocal nurseries, and check out what they are selling. Rosemary is a bush here, and you can make a topiary out of it. Cannas grow really well here, and come back and spread every year. So do dahlias. But what ever you do, buy an August Beauty gardenia as soon as you get settled in. (My favorite bush). Plant it where you will see it from your sitting area, they usually put out a real nice bloom in spring, and again in the fall. See what you have to look forward to? Don't be emotional, get excited.

Just wanted to post a follow up photo to show you what we ended up doing. You all were very helpful in your feedback so thank you. We ended up nixing the window seats, too clunky and limiting. Hole in the wall is for a wood box. Funky old green pantry will go on right wall. Yes, the windows are small but we really didn't want any more big windows in this room. The wall behind the fireplace will get four carved tiles I am making to fill the gaps. No elephants or squirrels, DH, Jethro vetoed them. Back down in the desert now and letting the pros do the finish work and reupholstery. Yea!!