deanna, You have me intrigued so I went searching through my library and the internet and what I discovered was the perennial Echinops was like the overlooked/invisible middle child of the perennial world. However Echinops can be annuals, biennials, or perennials so I am thinking the Echinops you saw in someone�s garden was likely an annual or biennial. I will continue to poke around and see what I come up with because like you I would LOVE some big blue balls in my garden (Hey get your mind out of the gutter)

I have another shower head by hansgrohe, not listed above. It is about 17" side to side. I love the wide spray pattern, it keeps me covered, shoulder to shoulder. It also has the waterfall feature, that I could have done without, now that I've tried it. If I remember that 240 listed above only has a spray pattern of 7" dia. That is pretty small for a rain shower, according to some posts I'd read here in years past. If money were no object I'd get choice 1 of the 3 listed above. I have a handheld with my set that has a whir pattern so wouldn't need it in the shower head. The feature that allows the inner ring to shut off would be fantastic in washing hair. With mine I have to lean out of the spray to soap my hair.

I would get him to add another row of tile.

I can’t speak for Francis Meilland in my hot and muggy Maryland climate but I did see a bed of them at the Santa Barbara rose garden this summer and it was blooming it’s head off despite the lack of care (I think COVID has reduced the number of volunteer gardeners). The smell is lovely but the bush shape is typical hybrid tea - tall and skinny. I’d suggest planting a group of 3 if you have the room. Super lovely in Zone 9, though. (Photos attached) I’ll also add that Princess Charlene de Monaco is gorgeous in neighboring yards but I don’t have her myself.. yet.