For compound eyes only

Living in Zone 11 provides some wonderful latitude in plant selections. Craig, our landscape architect, is building in everything subtropical from silver buttonwood, with its velvety leaves, to the showy Simpson's stopper and that butterfly magnet above, coralito.

But while it's attracting mariposas, coral vine repels prying eyes, growing thick and quick. That's why it's the choice to "enclose" our outdoor shower, which abuts the Clarks' back yard.

Outdoor showers are incredibly liberating, and our climate makes them possible most days. The first few times you look out and see someone looking back -- from the neck up -- it's a bit disconcerting. Then you realize they can't see anything from the neck down.

After that, you just smile and wave, rinse and repeat.