This is Yellow Ice Plant. One of the most successful ground covers in the Xeriscape landscaped area outside the kitchen entrance. Foliage blushes red in winter and remains succulent under the snow.
Potentilla, "Gold Drop"
We have planted three or four varieties of Irises from Gesine, one or two from my mother, and a bunch of them selected by Penelope over the years.
"Laced Cotton" Iris
I think if we had lived in the house for another few years, Penelope would have gotten rid of all the front lawn, and replaced it with flower and landscaped gardens. We were never big fans of lawns. New Mexico is great for that!
This year was the first year the Peonies ("Sorbet") really went wild. This picture was taken a bit past their prime, but you can see they are going to be great next year. I hope the new owners appreciate them.
Roses frame the front entrance. Miniature rose, "Denver's Dream", and an antique climbing rose to the right of the entrance. To the left are Potentillas and other miniature roses, including Rosa Rouletti, the ancestor of all modern miniature roses. Penelope, the brains and much of the brawn and sweat behind the garden planning and execution, is pretty proud of the results.
...and well she should be! A few years ago, when we painted the house, Penelope painted the mailbox and the front door to match. We bid a very fond farewell to our old homestead...