I was doing some volunteer work at a Beatrix Ferrand garden last weekend, and my brain was FRIED when I got to these two I was just clueless…
plant #1

stretptocarpus
plant #2

Japanese anemone
and I had a not so little visitor watching as I was working…

Melanoplus dawsoni – Dawson’s Grasshopper
and a surprise! I’ve never seem a Sibine stimulea in these parts…!!

any ideas? I’m in the NW corner of Connecticut, USA (border of zone 5,6), the garden is near my home
updated with identifications!! thanks!