I'm checking to see about Angel Eyes, so far it is not listed as having any sports, so I must go another direction for it. But Guardian Angel originated as a sport of Blue Angel. Then GA has 6 sports of its own, including Fallen Angel, American Blue Guardian, Luc's Birthday, and Fire & Brimstone. It's other sport, American Angel, sported one of its own, called American Angel's Fire. (Info from MyHostas.be/sports/index ) Then, checking Blue Angel, I discover that Angel Eyes is another sport of it, just like Guardian Angel is. Quoting from the description MyHostas gives of this plant, first sentence says: "This is a white centered form of 'Blue Angel', similar to and possibly identical to the recently registered 'Guardian Angel'." You can go to the website and read the rest of the info there. So it seems you are keeping it all in the family with your new selection. Perhaps you can give it a couple of years and see whether they are identical or not. Under Guardian Angel, followed from Blue Angel link, it gives another sport, Comanche, for GA. It also lists that American Angel (VanWade) is a "superior" version of GA and its color holds true all season. Said to be a Large hosta. But I recommend you look up and read all about it. Fascinating trail of hosta history in this web site.

Well, I looked at your link. Is your home a recent rebuild? If so, I'm sure you did some state-of-the-art things to fireproof your home as much as possible, like vulcanvents (self-closing in the event of fire), fire rated windows, automated fire suppression systems, sprinklers, and many more things. As all of us fire victims are doing/have done. I am not an expert, by any means, but only pointing out that no one, from the fire department (who signs off on plans), the landscape architect, the extremely rigorous planning department of our city which is pretty near to Santa Monica, has suggested that there be a "droughtscape". Again, I'm no expert, but I am concerned that you are overthinking it, and to the detriment of lifestyle and comfort, for reasons that *might* not make sense, but just make you feel better--which is important, too! I am just suggesting that you go get professional landscape design help. The landscape designers in the area and the nurseries are very knowledgeable about the requirements and advisories. I'll step out now, and just say that DG might be more comfortable than rocks. Maybe look at pea gravel as is extensively used by pros such as Scott Shrader in the link I provided above. By the way, our properties are both on a steep-ish slope but not canyon. Good luck to you!

where are you in z5... its about half the US and very divergent ....does your ground freeze?? in my z5 MI.. i would have to cut it to about 6 to 8 inches.. bury it in mulch and cover with a rose cone .... watch for very warm zone suggestions.. if you dont cut it back.. winter winds will most likely kill it back to snow cover.. or lower... hence the rose cones and mulch ... your plant looks like its planted very deep... cant really see properly in the pix... if so.. it might not thrive properly... why it MIGHt be struggling... the usual suspect for winter problems in colder zones .... is prevailing winter winds.. and sun.. the canes thawing during warmish winter sunny days.. and refreezing ... even freeze drying during the night... i used to say.. a plant has a sense of humor about it the first time it happens.. is rather upset the second time it happens showing significant damage.. and will just about outright die the third time... and it seems you do not have some little winter wind free micro climate.. in that first pic.. looks sorta prairie like... i bet the winds whip thru there when the corns gone.. if in fact that is corn over there... fertilizer is never really a remedy for anything.... applied properly.. it rarely hurts.. as long as you stop by 9/1 in z5.. but it seldom ever fixes a problem ... ken

You pretty much answered your own questions. TPO is a great roof system but requires specialty tools and an experienced installer. No difference in "thermal properties" with a poor installation of TPO, but you will have issues at seams if the installer is not a good welder. It's not rocket science though. If installed properly, it's probably the best of the single ply membrane options out there. Just run a sufficient mill thickness and use a good installer.