Great questions, Mike. LariAnn is The Best resource for EE's. I'm a beginner with them, too having a couple of Alo's and one Colo so far. The last shot of the Portora is so beautiful with all the different leaf shapes and colors! That Mojito to the right of the Portora is getting really nice markings.
If I might make one suggestion re: that bed of Xantho's along the side of your house? This is a basic thing we (your local Master Gardeners) are instructed to advise homeowners against i.e. planting any plants within 2 ft. or so of the wall of your house. You should try to maintain a dry perimeter - no irrigation at all - around the house to guard against moisture incursion and termite invasion. I'd especially advise you to move those Xantho's given the amount of water they need.
Here's a shot of my neighbor's ditch across the front of her house, with the Xantho's growing wild. You can tell by the color she doesn't fertilize them yet they survive and come back big and lush. Sometimes they're up to their necks in water but only if it rains! Let's hope they will be this week.
