Unexpected, From Callistemon/Melaleuca 'Slim' And Others

Such a big show was unexpected.  There are nine Callistemon viminalis 'Slim' around the garden and they are all bent over by the weight of their flowers.  Formerly in the genus Callistemon, it is now categorized as Melaleuca. 
The newest one (was it planted just last year?):

The next newest one, intended to hide the pond equipment:

 The three intended to hide the neighbor in the back when she sits on her deck in her pajamas bellowing into her phone:

 The three by the pergola intended to shade the chairs under the pergola on summer mornings.  Planted two years ago, when they were about 30" tall (75 cm). 

 The first one, planted by the back gate (4? 3? years ago) to determine if the hype about 'Slim' being a great tall narrow screening plant was actually true.  Pretty much true, yes. 

 All nine of them are feeding Orioles, warblers, what seems like dozens of hummingbirds, and thousands of bees. Callistemons are endemic to Australia.

Another unexpected development.  The native California scrub Oak, Q. berberidifolia,  purchased 3 or 4 years ago had never done anything.  Not an inch of growth, not even a single new leaf.  A couple of months ago it looked like it was about to give up.  Suddenly now, plentiful new foliage.  Huh.  How 'bout that?  Still doesn't look like much, but given signs it will eventually grow, it gets more time.  In an out-of-the-way place, it is intended to be habitat for native birds currently partying with Aussie Callistemons. 

Also unexpected, a cluster of "Dutch" 'Eye Of The Tiger' iris I planted back in '18 didn't reappear last year, so I assumed they died.  Surprised about that, because the "Dutch" iris have proven so reliable.  This year they're back.  Huh?  Their cool feature was bronze/brown "falls", the lower part of the flower. 

Another,  a seedling Hellebore with flowers that sport little dots.  Up to now they've always been plain.  Silly to be happy about little dots, but...they are sweet!

Unintentionally surprised a scrub jay while I was looking around.  Sorry, bro.   

Another surprise,  the Itoh Peony 'Misaka'.  I thought it was terminal.  All the new growth every spring came from an increasingly woody and dried up crown.  However, new stems have now sprouted straight from the soil, so it's okay!  It's glory is far too brief, yet glory it is.   
Two stems from the soil on extreme left, the rest from the woody old crown:

Last happy surprise,  'Cloudbank Ginny's glory lasted near three weeks.  Not as brief as the Itohs. 
The tight red pom-pom becomes a shaggy yellow

The pale yellow bracts become pinky-orange

 'Tango' and the Aloe x megalacantha(?) put on a much longer show.  No surprise there, but the blue foliage of Dasylirion wheeleri add an unexpectedly fine contrast. 

  Good unexpected, bad unexpected.  There is both these days.  The bad stuff looms outside of this little garden.  Stay home, stay patient, stay well.