Most of us know the story about Rip Van Winkle.  For those who may not, it is the story about a man who fell asleep and slept for 20 years.

Well, I have a story about two surprises I found in my garden.  I had a lemon verbena (Aloysia) plant growing in a spot for about 20 years, but I took it out this year as it was time and it looked bad.  This left a hole where the plant was living.

So, with our winter rains what to my surprise should appear in that area, but a rose that had been planted in that spot before the lemon verbena-yes over 20 years ago!  The rose was dying and after several attempts to save it, it could not be saved so out it came. Now the rose that was there (at least I think it is -I have to wait to see when it gets larger and buds) has decided to grow.  Now it's from the original rose or a bird did me a favor and planted it for me in that empty spot.

Another surprise in my yard is California poppies (Eschscholzia californica). Again, I did not plant these and never have seen any before but now they are growing all over my yard. It's a nice addition, nonetheless.

So, what a nice surprise a rose and poppies growing without any help from me.  Now I will have to wait to see what the rose turns out to be.  The bright orange poppies are blooming so I have some color in the yard. Thanks to all our winter rains and just maybe the sneaky birds.