how nice to ID a new plant on the farm while I am waiting for the first oatmeal of the season to thicken.

at the bottom of the hillside I came across a patch of "weeds" that smelled minty. Compared to everything else I was tossing, diminutive and with a possibly redeeming scent worth further investigation. It looks like I found Mentha arvensis. Not sure it will win anyone else's smile, but it is worth a little thought and trial.

nicely branching shrub.

peony with lots of promise.

last night I went out one more time to weed and plant after dinner. - a hillside that had more poison ivy and lettuce weed than I care to show visitors. 4 bushels of nasty came out quickly. I planted two treasures- a clump of woodland peonies in seed and what looks like a hamamelis, but is clearly opposite leaves. now i get to key it.

now to see if they multiply.

Rhodophiala bifida in the rose garden. I can see 3 different stalks so far. They are against a south facing wall in winter sun.