These plants came up from a five cent, end of season sale of seed packets from a dollar store last winter which I scattered last spring. I need help identifying what seem to be perennials. They have been one of the few green things through this winter so I know they are hardy. I feel like I’ve seen these before and should recognize them but don’t. One is a gray green with leaves that remind me of desert plants. The other ones remind me a little of Dianthus but are much larger- one of the photos has a Dianthus plant just above my mystery stranger. I could wait until they bloom, but it’s driving me crazy! Perhaps I’m having a senior moment or they were planted by birds and they’re only weeds.

The 1st plant, maybe a Saponaria, or other plant in the Pink Family.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S...

Hmm, I would say the first one looks like Sweet William, (Dianthus), which stays green through winter but is an annual and reseeds.



The second one looks more like a Centaurea, or Bachelor Button. Same thing, and annual that can stay green all winter but will die and reseed.

I agree that the first one looks like Sweet William.

My first thought was Sweet William also but seemed larger than I expected. Perhaps these are just good healthy ones! Thanks for the input.

The top pic looks like 2 diff plants to me. Dianthus above and to the right, with Saponaria up against it, below. The newest leaves in the middle are different, though the older leaves are really similar.

My "mystery plants" bloomed earlier this spring but it took a while before I finally identified the gray-green rosette plant. Attached are photos of both in bloom. The Sweet Williams photo is when they first started at the beginning of April. I've cut them back and a second growth is sprouting. The yellow Wallflower has brightened the front of my flower bed since early spring too and is still going strong. I am so pleased with my five cent bargain seed packet!

And both reseed easily.

Thanks for the follow-up!