If you are tuning in for the first time: we(!) 
try to post flower/plant/garden images often, so if you don't care for conversation that changes direction more often than a Jai Alai game, just skim past it. 
Here we are, starting a thread for year FIVE. I say "we" because these threads are not solo endeavors, they are continuously evolving stories shared by an ever-expanding group of people who have also developed into friends (or friendly neighbors--that works, too).
Gardening is so much more than simply plants and, in this place, there is no such thing as off topic. So, y'all are welcome to join in, jump in, browse, lurk, comment--whatever makes you comfortable. Grab a cup, take a seat, and stake yourself a place in the party.
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Link to the 2018 thread if you want to refer back to it.
The thread "My Garden and Other Stuff -- 2018" in
Garden Photos forum
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Cheated a bit in that these photographs were taken yesterday afternoon. Close enough.
When processing the images, I noticed an unintentional theme: Gifts, all gifts. Some from friends; some I bought that have become more deliciously expansive than expected; and some natural.
Rain. 'Gifts' from all the rain--a full twig bucket and weedy grasses to fork out. The bucket was an easy tip over. All fixed!
The new Iris bed is (obviously) full of grass. Howsomever, in an area prone to drought? Rain, any rain, is definitely a gift.
Weather is supposed to be mild after Thursday. Guess I know what I need to start doing, right?
Drumstick Allium. A gift from Kabby. Didn't think it would survive the squirrels. As you can see, though...
//
Crocosmia, a gift from a trade partner in California. Has never bloomed, but that foliage is enough for me.
Lemon Thyme. A purchase that is covering more ground that I ever anticipated. I like it! (It smells
soooo good in the rain.) And, it is spreading in the same exuberant fashion in two other places in the yard. I cook with it, too.
Gifts from the mild weather. Dark Crystal, a reblooming Standard Dwarf Bearded Iris sending up a stalk. Under the bucket is that bloom stalk on Flo, a Border Bearded reblooming Iris. Covered for protection from the anticipated below-30 degree overnight lows that are now no longer in the forecast. Thankfully!!!! Expecting freezing rain and maybe snow tomorrow and Thursday (but still not lower than 32 degrees--yea!); will remove the bucket on Friday.
Natural gifts. Henbit is coming up ever'where. I am fond of the stuff, not the least reason being I have lovely purple flowers in January. Look closely at the third picture. Notice the Mexican Feather Grass in the center? And the Poppy foliage bottom left? Gifts that gave of themselves.
Gift from the hybridizer. Saw photographs of it and immediately decided I HAD to have it. Discovering it is not commercially available, I was able to get contact information for the hybridizer and asked for a piece of it. I have NO shame when it comes to Irises.
She graciously agreed to send me a rhizome. In fact, after she said yes and, in the thank-you email, I told her what I had subsequently been inspired to do with it, she sent THREE. (Two of the rhizomes are now a memory planting for a local police officer killed while protecting an 11-year-old child. The third I potted for insurance.) Just lookee, here--one of the in ground rhizomes has increases starting!!!!
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I have one more gift to talk about, which I think I will save for my next post. In the meantime, let's have some fun!
for including all of us! 
