Thanks! And, well, it's a work in progress. Right now it definitely looks better and fuller, the containers do, and I have proceeded to start a border of rocks around the outer edge. I've placed other containers there on the straw (small ones) while I decide where to plant this and that.
I'm considering whether to plant around the base of the outer container sides now, or wait til spring.
Anyway, later today I'll get another picture in this comment thread; maybe the orange cosmos will have some open blossoms.
