How could you not love such an inviting plant as the Mediterranean native aroid Dracunculus vulgaris, flowering now at Juniper Level Botanic Gardens.  Anyone who thinks mother nature doesn’t have a sense of humor has never grown dracunculus.  Dracunculus often emerge in February, flower now, and go dormant by early June.  Amazingly, they are winter hardy as far north as Zone 5b/6a.