OK, I get the point

Pasque Flower is a deceptive plant. It looks all soft and appealing, but it does have spines that can catch you by surprise. Adding to the danger, all parts of the plant are poisonous if ingested, according to Dave's Garden. This plant is in the parking strip, so not in an area frequented by the little guy. I'd like to try collecting seeds after this flowers, some time in coming weeks based on last year's post. It also reminds me that I really need to read Amy Stewart's new book, Wicked Plants, when it comes out in May. Stewart will also be in the Seattle area in June to promote her book. Her stops include Elliott Bay Books on June 9 and Washington Park Arboretum on June 11. I'm marking my calendar now.

I somewhat accidentally divided a redtwig dogwood and placed them in the front garden. It looks like luck was on my side and they're starting to leaf out. Isn't it great when a goof works?

Sea Holly is another parking strip plant just starting to make it's way out of the soil.  I'm just happy to have this plant still alive after moving it a couple years ago. They typically don't appreciate transplanting once established, which is exactly what I did. It's pretty small still, probably shock, but it keeps coming back. The spiky leaves are eye catching on their own, so the lavender flowers are icing on the cake.

'Coral Bark' Maple's sharp little chartreuse leaf buds. Last year the leaves appeared a bit singed, perhaps a bit of shock from being uprooted. I look forward to seeing how it looks this time around. I thinned out some of the dead twigs, too, so now it has a bit more open habit.

The little guy ceases to amaze me with his garden antics. This particular day he was utilizing a stick from my hydrangea to poke at the rhododendron overhead. He's in the area I'm planning as a woodland garden. It's one of his favorite spots, and he runs up and down the slight slope. This is one of the things I need to factor in when designing this spot.