Tiffany - My house is incredibly gaudy. I live in a non-HOA controlled area, so I could paint my house any color I wanted.. and I went bright. Bright bright bright. My one neighbor isn't too keen on it, but he knows he can't say anything.. mainly because he's the one who painted it (he's a professional painter by trade). Look at this post for more pix of the house. The bright red plant is Bridges Penstemon. A wonderfully xeric plant that's tolerant of shade, dry, cold, crappy soil.. everything!
http://cubits.org/bluegardens/... http://cubits.org/pics/2013-07...
Lin - There's nothing to forgive! Please take good care of your eye.. you're a much braver person than I am!! My ophthalmologist suggested Lasik, but I'm 1) too poor & 2) too chicken! I'll just stick with glasses.
Bridge's Penstemon:
Bridge Penstemon (Penstemon rostriflorus)
I love penstemons... those & agastaches. Two of my absolute favorite plants. Don't know how well they'd do in your humidity, though.. they're more of a desert plant.
