Elfin thyme softens a stepping stone path. Penstemon 'Midnight' flowers purple in the foreground, hedge of Garrya elliptica 'Evie' (Coast Silktassel) provides a dark green backdrop along the fence. The end of season flowers are still hanging on the rosy buckwheat in the background, visible against the tall flowers spikes of Muhlenbergia rigens (Deer Grass.) Dark coral bells and pink carpet roses peek through on the right. Robyn Basso