Good choice going planted I reckon.
I've only been in the hobby for a nearly two years now so I can't say if it was different three years ago really. What's helped me is looking through tank journals, galleries and aquascaping contest entries. There are some really wicked planted tanks out there but I can't say I've seen many with MHs.
I've got a hairgrass tank up at the moment, almost got it fully covered now. Only running one 6500k 23w CFL energy saver and DIY CO2. I too have been looking out for driftwood like that, the closest I've come is some stuff on the rocky Napier beach and it smells funny. :-?
Good luck.