Bingo! It is definitely Penstemon. I had hit a dead end with this one, so I am grateful for everyone's help. Who knows; maybe someday I can answer a question or two. Cheers, Doug

Thanks! I think you nailed it. Here is a link that might be useful: my blog

That is a wonderful rose that i have. What you got though, were hellebore orientalis seedlings. I put the seedlings in reused cups i'd used to try to root roses to keep them upright and hydrated. There was a sign by them so folks didn't get confused, but i guess it didn't stay close by the whole time. I was lazy and didn't mark off all of the old names (there were 2 flats worth of cups and seedlings and i ran out of time)- figuring most folks would know that wasn't what was in them. Sorry! Tammy

Yes, it is a hebe, possibly 'Paula', although there are many cultivars with a similar appearance. All hebes have some degree of toxicity (as do the vast majority of plants) but it would not be one I'd worry about. But then no dog I have ever owned has grazed on any outdoor plants other than some grass and I grow a huge number of quite toxic plants if dogs were to bother to eat them..........they don't!! Once they are out of the puppy stage, I think they just know better.