Back in the garden

We are back, after eight weeks in Provence, heaven. While we were gone our wonderful neighbors watched our cat and took care of the garden. All I had to do when we returned was mow, blow and do some weeding. They also got rid of a weed evergreen that shaded a lot of the backyard. The picture above is of a cast iron plant that is a tenacious shade plant. Very interesting leaves but almost impossible to pull up as it roots densely and deep. What it doesn't like is full sun, which it now has. I hope to get rid of it and replace it with sun loving plants.

The flower is a datura, or Angel's Trumpet. The added light has made them take off. Beautiful flowers and, at night, a lovely scent.