A Bunch of Random Photos

We had a stretch of nice weather--two or three days I think--and now we're back to rain. The sunshine and warmth were as good for the garden as they were for the gardener. Plants everywhere are saying, "Hello, world!"

Here is a random sampling.

I bought this native Penstemon at a Master Gardener sale last year. This is the first time it's flowered and I am so impressed. I expected this plant to be persnickety but it settled right in.

Penstemon rupicola

The pathway

I've got to get rid of those silly concrete blocks and plant something beefy and leafy here. Any suggestions?

I was worried about my Rodgersias not coming back but that was just me worrying. Now it's the Cannas. And the Dahlias...

Rodgersia sp.

The Saxifragas are abloom and looking all frothy and romantic.

Saxifraga x geum 'Dentata'

More random rock garden plants. The little Iris-looking leaves are Candy Lilies (x Pardananda 'Sangria'). I allowed the mother plant to go to seed and now I've got lots of them!

Armeria maritima rubifolia is just starting to bloom.

Lychnis viscaria is a reliable, no fuss, evergreen, spring-bloomer.

Lychnis viscaria

Euphorbia griffithii'Fireglow'

Euphorbia 'Fireglow' and Geum 'Flames of Passion'

My first rose:

Rosa mutabilis

My first large-flowered Clematis:

Clematis 'Asao'

My first Fuchsia. This variety (I can't remember the name) has really tiny flowers. Not as tiny as F. 'Isis' but close. If you compare the blossom with the leaves, it will give you an idea of how small and cute it is.

Fuchsia sp.

My Lewisia decided to bloom this year.

Lewisia cotyledon

And my variegated honeysuckle is abloom.

Variegated Honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum'Harlequin')

This is a newbie this year. It's called a hardy Dwarf Snapdragon, (Chaenorrhinum origanifolium 'Summer Skies'). I am hoping they're right about the (winter) hardy part.

Chaenorrhinum origanifolium 'Summer Skies'

I planted it in this metal box, for now.

In one of my woodland borders, the Primula sieboldii 'Late Snow' is starting to get elbowed by its neighbors.

Primula sieboldii'Late Snow'

Spiraea x vanhouttei 'Pink Ice'

I always think of my gardening friend Nancy when the Montia are blooming. Don't you love pass-along plants?

Montia parvifloria var. flagellaris

Persicaria 'Purple Majesty' is looking very majestic this year.

Weigela florida 'Variegata'

This Cuphea jumped into my cart the other day. I love the blossom colors.

Cuphea Vienco 'Red Purple'

The tag says it's Zone 8 so I'm going to try and winter it over in my newly constructed heated plant winter-over area.

Geranium 'Orion' is about to bloom.

After three years and several moves, I finally found the right place for my ornamental rhubarb. Don't you just love the burgundy undersides of these leaves?