I have a new lover.

31*, feels like 20*, 78% humidity, WSW 16 mph wind, cloudy


I have a new lover. His name is Penstemon smallii. I bumped into him at the clearance table at the nursery in late summer. At first I wasn't too impressed with him. He seemed....cheep. So I did a background check on him and found out that they tend to like a more dry climate so I thought he and I wouldn't stand a chance together. Still, I helped him to move in next to Rhododendron, rooming with him on a small hill together because he had no where else to go. Surprisingly, once Penstemon put some roots down he's really grown on me. I mean his foliage is attractive-- and even despite hard freezes, ice and snow, and being surrounded by land that wants to be swamp, he looks perky and ready for anything. Next year I think our love will truly bloom. But seeing him today made my heart skip a beat. He did not look at all touched but the bad weather. I love a plant with a good attitude. I had no idea he would be evergreen in the winter.

Truth be told, I've always loved Penstemons. Every time I've seen them my heart has fluttered. I've seen wild ones growing in high elevations in the wild. I've seen ones that prefer swamps and meadows around here. I've seen dessert penstemons. I am almost ready to admit that Penstemons may be my favorite flowers.....

Moving on.......

Today I planted the Hellebore seeds. I had heard that viable seeds usually sink when you soak them. All of them were floaters. I hope that doesn't mean these guess aren't viable! Cross your fingers please. :)