I learned how to make the leaves last july, 2003 in the seattle area. My mom's neighbor taught me with a rhubarb leaf. I painted and shipped them home to Chicago, and spent the rest of the summer making leaves. I had @ 50 leaves on my patio to paint. I seal them with cement sealer before I paint them with Patio paint. I've left me leaves out all winter (and it's really cold here) and they look good as new. I saw a bunch of elephant ears while driving and knocked at the guy's door and he ended up giving me a few and of course I made and painted one for him. At the start of fall he called me and requested another for his son and gave me the rest of the leaves before he dug them up to store for winter. I must say I'm addicted.Last night I made my first batch of the season, 5 very large rhubarb leaves and I also took 5 large hollycock leaves and made them into a bowl shape. Can't wait to unveil them. I also planted 3 elephant ear plants for myself, giant hostas and one gunnera. I may have to bring the gunnera in and let it grow larger til next summer. It's a pokey grower. So far all of my leaves have been acquired from begging at strangers' doors. Everyone has been very generous and I always give them one in return. I've make some giant hosta leaves also and some giant crazy looking weeds. I've sold many at a holiday show last December and will try to sell them in an art fair I will be in next weekend. I've been experimenting with pricing because it''s so hard to decide what to charge. I spend alot of time painting them to get a multi-dimensional look. Wish me luck, people seem pretty intriged with them. Oh yeah Canna leaves make pretty castings and I put painted balls under them as feet and place on a table. and on and on and on. Sorry I'm so long winded, but I can't say enough about it. P.S. I wear a mask when mixing my cement. Last yaer I could feel that fine dust in my lungs. After smoking for many years, (I've since quit) that's all I don't need.

KDK6, It's a wax leaf privet. I have 3 of them. Don't allow your dog to eat any berries from shrubs, just to be on the safe side. I have a bichon too, and she is kept on a lead so she doesn't get in my gardens. They aren't high energy dogs. The privets do smell very good in April abd May when they flower. I use them for evergreen privacy.

Thanks for the pointer. It is indeed an exact match for Solanum americanum, a.k.a. American black nightshade, Small flowered Nightshade, common nightshade, white nightshade. And as Ken points out, CalFlora lists its toxicity as MAJOR. Cheers for the ID. Out it comes!

Cameron and Friend - that's Johnson's blue geranium, tried and true! It's done very well for me - lots of blooms and after flowering, I shear it back and I get some sporadic reblooming through the summer. Lorna, my catmint has been in that spot since 2001. I've never moved it or divided it, I just cut it back in mid-summer. I topdress with manure and I try to do it before most of the plant emerges so it can kind of sink right into the base of the plant. The variety is "Blue Wonder" - it was literally an impulse purchase. Vikki, the grass is Elijah Blue fescue. I used to have ladies mantle in that spot but a few winters ago, it all died. I think it was a very wet winter that year. I'm happier with the grass truthfully - it adds some nice texture. Friend, I would absolutely love some Iris! Did you get my e-mail about the perennial fest this weekend? E-mail me at rbickel@pershing dot com if you're interested. My regular mail currently has almost 1300 unread e-mails, I'm ashamed to admit (too much gardening, too little time) so I'll miss it if it's sent there. kailleanm, that sounds like a great idea regarding my rhodo. Did you have a photo so I can get a better sense of what to do. I have a fairly good idea about perennials at this point, but I am a complete novice when it comes to shrubs. My original thought was just to literally whack it back after it finished blooming so that it was lower than the window, but I think your method will leave a better looking plant. And thanks everyone for your kind words!