Oh, thank you for following my clue! (I wanted to name the story after the plant but "White Oleander" is already taken.) That bush just looked happy to me in the photo and possessive and since it is beautiful and deadly a natural affinity came to mind. It developed a mythic feel. I read it to one of my friends and the bush reminded her of "Avatar", and they were using the myth, too.

I totally agree about the lilac picture. Gorgeous is the only word and it was art.