MAG--I had The Big Orange Splot in mind when I suggested the story (but I was pulling your leg). As it happens, my yard and garden are such a unique collection of plantings in the neighborhood that the individuality expressed there is something Daniel Pinkwater would no doubt appreciate. I love that book--we read it many times when my children were small.
My earlier post should have said we're now fending off predators (something is eating green tomatoes and squash).
I've done a little searching on some of the flowers mentioned that I haven't seen. No images of "ceratostigmas" easily found, but I did locate philadelphus and buddleia. They're lovely!