This is a new color of poppy for me!

My first purple coneflower opened up the other day!

That's a gorgeous poppy!
Linda, do you think you could identify Henry Duelberg salvia from a photo? I was asked for a cutting and the one I bought at the MG sale a few years ago as HD looks right, but now I'm second guessing myself because there's another near it that looks similar, but different! I also have Augusta near by and the bees are cross pollinating the two. Augusta's blooms start out a little bluish.
The HD leaves are glossier and a little thicker than other salvias. Stands about 3 ft high, but is sprawling over the sidewalk now from the heat.

Does that die back in the winter where you are? I have some unknown salvia that dies back in the winter but comes back strong every spring.

All my salvias die back in the winter and come back, starting in February.

Mystery solved. I took the two salvia stems, blooms and leaves, to Barton Springs Nursery this morning and got confirmation that they were both HD. One is growing in full sun and the other in semi-shade of an oak tree. The one in full sun "I knew" was HD. But when I looked at the other one next to it to compare, I wasn't truly sure anymore. And the tags have long since disappeared. The Augusta Duelberg is smaller and has smaller blooms, even tho it's also in full sun.

I like this kind of mystery! Learning little tidbits like this is probably what I enjoy most within the classroom of Mother Nature........

Thank you, Sandi

Hi Lee! After taking the wrong salvia to the Houston swap, I don't want to do that again!
Are you and Dee going to the San Marcos swap next month? Hope to see you there. I'm going to miss the ETRU. I had already committed to going to Jeri's in Louisiana the same weekend. Looking forward to it.

Yes,....we will attend the San Marcos RU and lookin' forward to it as well. We'll miss you & Becky both at the ETRU.....I know y'all will have a good time while we're doin' the same!

The blue bedder sage has come back in full force!

Black Gamecock La. Iris - outside

and the same inside - Dee arranged for it to be part of the bath decor

another view

Had some alien visitors recently ....this one I named "Big John".....you know the type.....as in...."didn't say much....kinda quiet & shy.....and if you spoke atall....you just said Hi to Big John...."

His "Main Squeeze" was with him.....lettin' 'er hair down........

This is lookin' down into her cranium.....strange....those aliens

this small one........I think was somethin' like a "pet".....not sure....sometime's it seemed to be more in control

You can almost hear it thinkin'........

Those are clever! Love the dark iris too...

Pretty iris'! I heard the aliens were over your way, Lee!! LOL

stephanie, I just love the color of your blue bedder sage. Is it a perennial?

This little flower grows wild in wooded areas... I think maybe it's a petunia?