Ruth Ann told me the big plant is Bear Breeches (i like the name). I found the website that have imfo about this plant, check this out. I am so exited! Thanks Ruth Ann. #119 Acanthus mollis Common Names: bear's breech, Grecian pattern plant, artist's acanthus Family: Acanthaceae (acanthus Family) Get link to this Profile or click for data record #119 e-mail this page -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Description Bear's breeches is a very ornamental herbaceous perennial with large shiny dark green leaves. The plant grows in a clump about 5' (1.5 m) tall, with slightly less spread. The leaves can be up to 3 ft (1 m) long, with deep cuts, although there's quite a bit of variation among individual leaves. Each lobe is tipped with a soft (not sharp) spine. In late summer, bear's breeches blooms with creamy white to slightly pink or purplish flowers on dramatically tall, erect stalks held way above the foliage. Location Acanthus mollis is native to the Mediterranean region of northern Africa and southwestern Europe. Culture Bear's breeches performs best in loose, average to rich soil. It tolerates moderately dry conditions once established. Light: Bear's breeches can be grown in full sun to partial shade. Moisture: Bear's breeches does not tolerate constantly wet soil. Grow this perennial in well drained, but moist soil. Hardiness: USDA Zones 7-10. Propagation: Propagate with 2-3 in (5-8 cm) root cuttings taken in spring. Fresh seed will germinate in a month or so. Usage Acanthus stands out in a bed of ferns or hostas, providing contrast with its darker color, greater size, and complex texture. It is a stately specimen in a courtyard garden. Some of the dignity that seems inherent in this plant might stem from its use in the ornamentation of classical Greek artwork and Corinthian columns! Probably because of its classical background, or perhaps because of the sculptural nature of the plant, it imposes an air of formality. Certainly it deserves a place of honor on the grounds of your palace! Features With bold textured large leaves, and a tall, imposing flower spike, bear's breeches makes a fine specimen planting in a mixed border or in a stand alone grouping of 3 to 5 plants. Beware, though - It will continue to expand and invade its surrounding area, and every little piece of root that gets broken off is likely to start a new plant.

interesting you would say that... yesterday my DW and I single-handedly moved an 1100 pound boulder from the driveway where it was delivered around back onto our deck onto a 24" high platform where it will become an focal point in our "Zen Room" outdoor area. (It will be quite different from the outdoor room pictured... not sure if I think their room is really really cool, or ???) After worrying about it for over a month, the actual process of moving that sucker was much easier than we expected... pictures will follow, but I want to get more done on the project first...

One of your signature design accents seems to be a tasteful bit of bling. I'm wondering if you could do up a sample board with this bit of Spectralock Dazzle (perhaps the silver or the mother of pearl) added into a gray grout. Here's the clip from their site: http://www.laticrete.com/homeowners/technical_services/faq/planning_a_job/spectralock_grout.aspx "What is the LATICRETE SpectraLOCK PRO Grout Dazzle component? LATICRETE SpectraLOCK Dazzle is an optional component for use with LATICRETE SpectraLOCK PRO Premium Grout and LATICRETE SpectraLOCK PRO Grout. LATICRETE SpectraLOCK PRO Premium Grout and LATICRETE SpectraLOCK PRO Grout are available in a range of 40 designer colors, but by blending in a LATICRETE SpectraLOCK Dazzle component, the color pallette expands to over 170 options! LATICRETE SpectraLOCK Dazzle is available in Gold, Silver, Copper, Mother-of-Pearl, and Glow-In-The-Dark. The LATICRETE SpectraLOCK Dazzle metallic flake powder replaces some of the standard LATICRETE SpectraLOCK PRO Grout Part C filler powder to produce a unique, light-reflective grout joint that can enhance many tile applications. The LATICRETE Dazzle Glow-In-The-Dark will make your grout glow at night if the grout gets a sufficient charge of light during the day. NOTE:There is a limitation for the Gold, Silver, Copper, and Mother-of-Pearl Dazzle components which may tarnish from strong alkali and acidic cleaners so their use is typically limited to wall applications only. " Here is a link that might be useful: Dazzle in your grout

Those comforters and the shower curtains are hideous. I can confidently say that if I installed one of them in our home my DH would divorce me. Heck, _I'd_ divorce me. But wait, there's more! [Vile[(https://www.houzz.com/products/6-piece-frosted-fields-faux-satin-luxury-comforter-set-california-king-prvw-vr~22254069) and [Equally vile[(https://www.houzz.com/products/harvest-moon-field-faux-satin-luxury-comforter-6-piece-queen-prvw-vr~22255423) This one is positively restrained by comparison:[Still too foofy[(https://www.houzz.com/products/6-piece-creme-sweet-victorian-satin-comforter-set-california-king-prvw-vr~38457169) What really gets me is that they are described as "traditional". In _whose_ tradition???