I posted four images in the opening post but only two have survived. It's all so strange at Houzz.

My tallest and darkest penstemonBishop's Castle and Potter and MooreMrs. B.R. CantDeanna Krause
Madame Lambard blooms for most of the year.

Continued below....

One bunny......Two bunnies and a frog.

Beautiful, as always. That penstemon is really striking -- which one is it? I've got a very dark purple one but I think mine is somewhat redder than yours, and I prefer the bluer shade. I think mine might be "Raven", but am really not sure.

Ingrid, I can only imagine how lovely a cup of coffee or tea on that deck must be! Looks so beautiful and peaceful as always!

I love these photos, Ingrid. Your garden is absolutely lovely. I, too, love your penstemon. That color is beautiful. Everything looks so serene and happy.

"The quiet garden".....ours is rackety with birds, a good kind of noise. About the coyotes, one wonders about these changes and whether they're a sign of environmental damage, at least I wonder. We've hardly had any tits (chickadees) in the garden the last year or two, when up to then they were very common, and it does worry me. They were such charming birds, and useful. I agree with Lilyfinch, your deck looks like a lovely place to drink coffee.

Beautiful garden, and what a view!

I like quiet gardens..... serene in this case...

It's beautiful. I bet it smells good too. Everyone's garden has a different personality. Yours is very distinctive. The rocks and hills and distant hills add so much. There's so much contour in your garden. You have married your garden to the landscape in a very artful way.

The quiet just reaches out and grabs you. I love it; the roses, the critters and the companion plants. I’m going to freshen up my cup of tea and go back in for another look :)

Beautiful Ingrid. I am so happy that California seems to be getting the rains you need this spring.

Rick

Your Gruss is so lovely with the hint of pink and cream colored bloom.

It's nice to see two pink Austins planted side by side... I've got many of those, LOL. :)

Green fields in CA remind me of the artichoke fields near Monterey, the fog near the ocean...

Beautiful roses and companions, Ingrid... cute rabbits!

Fantastic garden. Love the companion plants and the bunnies! Very quiet and serene. Lovely!

Ingrid, I am reading ‘In Search of Lost Roses’ and just came across this quote of Francis Lester about Madame Lambard and immediately thought of your beautiful specimen. “I feel like raising my hat, here in Monterey, every time I pass one of the many Mme. Lambard Tea roses that luxuriate in some of our oldest gardens, although they are utterly neglected.” She is such a beauty!

Indeed -- 'Mme. Lambard' is said to have been THE rose most-often found in Monterey. And though she can mildew here, she has a place forever, because she DOES -- as you say -- bloom right through the year. I suspect that's why she is so commonly-found, as well, in old cemeteries (the source of our plant).

I can't think of anything more beautiful than your wonderful comments. Thank you from the deepest heart.

The tall penstemon some of you have inquired about is 'Midnight'. Stephanie, thanks for your beautiful photo with penstemon 'Margarita'. I've just ordered two! I hope we'll see more of your garden, please. Krista, I hope we'll see your Austins and other roses soon. I think Mme. Lambard is almost too easy a rose to grow here, and I've come to take my two for granted.

A few photos taken after our overnight drizzle.

Rhodologue Jules GravereauxSome buds of Evelyn that I'm anxiously waiting to see as bloomsNepeta tuberosa, a large and ungainly plant (which I naturally planted in a prominent spot near the front door). One of the dangers of on-line shopping!