The bad thing about using one of those wildflower mixes you pick up in the Big Box stores is the inevitable zinnias grow so much faster than everything else, and rapidly create an exclusionary canopy. We’ve only had a couple of other plants that have managed to claw their way up to sunlight through the profusion of zinnias. Already identified are Salvia gregii and Rose Mallow, and now we have three new players to ID. This pretty pink explosion of petals:
And this as yet unopened guy (another pic will follow once it does open):
It is a favorite already of the shield bugs. They actively resisted being removed so I could snap the picture!
This guy we are pretty sure is a weed:
Kind of hard to tell when they insist on putting out pretty flowers, though.
And I can’t really speak harshly of the zinnias, they are putting on quite the display out front, and they look so amazingly architectural before they open:
Now, as promised to Caitlin a few days ago, some taunting-you-with-my-tomatoes pictures…
This is the Gioia della mensa “Jewel of the Table,” and I cannot wait to get my teeth into it.
And here’s the Cream Sausage and Sungold, both loaded down with fruit:
Do notice, fellow gardeners, how I have those plants in the same pot. Even though it is a very large pot DO NOT EVER DO THIS. The plants really are not enjoying being together in there, the competition for nutrients and water is fierce. I will never ever do that to a tomato plant again.
on 
on Jun 5th, 2008 at 10:25 am
WOW!!! That is a lot of tomatoes and very interesting to look at. This is our first year of gardening and we planted just the norm but I am already checking out different kinds for next year.
on Jun 5th, 2008 at 10:27 am
@Shala: If you’re a tomato-phile like I am, then you’ll be wanting this link: Totally Tomato
Hundreds, HUNDREDS, of different tomato varieties.
on Jun 5th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
Think the first one is a Himalayan Balsam; a species of Impatients (Busy Lizzies are too), that can be quite invasive.
Second one is another Mallow, Malva moschata (Musk Mallow) I think.
I think the third one is White Nightshade, as with all nightshades it is related to tomatoes and potatoes, but they can be toxic.
Anyway, hopefully that will help you find out what they are more easily.
Zoë
on Jun 5th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
The only thing that can possibly atone for this shameless taunting is a care package of fresh tomatoes – varities that I’m not growing – when you are up here for your vacation. And then you shall be properly jealous of my Chocolate Cherry tomatoes.
Yeah, yeah, sending seeds and all that, but I can’t eat the seeds!
on Jun 5th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
@Zoë: The first is awfully ruffly, not sort of orchid/penstemon shaped like the Himalayan Balsam. Still waiting on #2 to open.
on Jun 5th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
@Caitlin: Oh we will be bringing veg, for sure. Fruit, too. The question of whether any of it is allowed to leave my mother’s house to get to yours is still up in the air.
on Jun 5th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
Inspired by your close-up photos, I posted shots I did of my front yard iris in sort of a “Florida Backyard-ish” treatment – although I’ve silhouetted them. Check ‘em out if you get a chance. Your shots are so wonderfully detailed.
on Jun 5th, 2008 at 3:15 pm
@Jim/ArtofGardening: The Irises? Very lovely indeed.
I’ve developed an AWFUL craving for Irises lately, due in no small part to this site: Nola’s Iris Garden The sheer variety of colors and patterns is amazing. I’ll take one each, yes, thank you!
on Jun 5th, 2008 at 6:52 pm
Ok you got me again with the tomato envy, but at least my Sungold tomatoes have little tiny tomatoes on them now. Maybe a 1/16 of an inch. LOL.
And I have to agree with Zoe. That little white flower so looks like a nightshade, though only the purple flowered ones grow here. Pull it up and use gloves.
on Jun 5th, 2008 at 9:46 pm
@Daphne Gould: Oh I am watching that Gioia della mensa. That puppy is MINE tomorrow.
Sungold is a great variety. Just pluck it off the vine and nosh it right there in the garden.
Thanks for the gloves tip!