project green

my parents came for a visit last weekend and on saturday and, after a fruitful spin through the project green plant sale, there was much gardening and yard work to be done. like true champs, they pitched in to help us get the new stuff into the ground and remove pesty old stuff. my dad even cut out the ancient primestar satellite dish that had taken root like a big outdated metal weed next to the house. he and rob made quick work of the jungle that had sprung up next to the garage. mom and i planted the flowering perennials (including purple and yellow coneflower, black-eyed susan, violets, forget-me-nots, red corn poppy [on joyce's recommendation], indian blanket, and wallflowers) along the driveway and in the backyard and i'm crossing my fingers that they'll thrive.
the mystery plant mystery is solved--it's a pink delight salvia. i vaguely remember jean giving this to us last spring, but once it died back, i pretty much forgot about it. it's blooming even more now with those pretty crescent moon-shaped flowers. let's hope the big jack-in-the-pulpit she bought us at the plant sale will fare as well.

this is our happy nameless gnome who watches over the backyard. he attempts to keep oscar from trampling the hostas, but this is a completely futile endeavor, even for a magical little creature (i know he's a resin statuette--please suspend your disbelief).