The second one does look like a penstemon to me. The first one I have no clue. From the picture it almost looks like an agave with the serrated edges of the leaves, and if the leaves are fleshy. But I doubt that's what it is.

Karen

The first one is definitely not platycodon/balloon flower. Mine are just beginning to poke their heads up and they don't look anything like that. Balloon flower leaves aren't that pointy. Sorry I'm only sure what it isn't . My penstemon is up and looks about the same as that second one so I'm going to cast my vote for P. Husker Red.

Hmmm.... I thought I'd lost all the husker's red in last year's heat and drought, as well as the one nursery-bought balloon flower. If the second one isn't balloon flower, I have no idea what it might be. I just don't think it looks like a weed, more like a flower that I might have planted sometime. Any other thoughts out there?

Thanks, gardenweed and Karen.

Karen

Karen, the first one looks fleshy, succulent. Is it? My vote for the second is penstemon H.R. as well ......

PV

No, PV, it's not succulent. I'm thinking now maybe it's Penstemon Smallii. I did WSow some last year and they seemed to disappear in the heat/drought. The color of the foliage is similar to my established one, though it stays pretty much evergreen in winter. Only the top turns brown.

It just doesn't look like a weed to me.

Karen

Check over at DG - there's a good pic of a small plant coming up .... as usual, can't link it.

PV

The second one looks like a plant that I have, from seeds I collected at a local restaurant. I just did a Google image search for "penstemon red seed pods", and they match what I started with. So at the very least, you've helped ID MY plant??

My original label was "funky smelly seeds", because the pods had an unusual odor. When I collect seeds like that I have no idea what the actual flower looks like until it comes up two years later (just foliage first year, flowers second). The flowers on mine are white-last year was the first year to have them.

If anyone can help me figure out how to add a picture without using a link I can post a pic of what mine looks like now. (???)