Mexican Heather and Woolly Croton-mystery weeds

This top photo with the purple flowers is actually Mexican Heather (Cuphea Hyssopifolia). I saw it yesterday at Lowe's for sale. It is a false heather. Not that I know what that means, different family maybe? It is a small tropical evergreen that usually occurs in zones 9-11. Apparently, it freezes back in the winter. It self-sows, so maybe I will get more popping up in other places in the yard. I could also potentially collect seeds and strategically put them places, probably not, since that would require way too much effort. Isn't it funny what things seem to require tons of effort (like watering for instance) and what other other activities don't seem to be all that hard (like building compost bins, digging holes for new plants in the dark in a rainstorm...)

Woolly Croton (Croton Capitatus)
unlike most spurge does not have milky sap. It apparently is also a good food for doves, turkey, and quail. I've been semi-considering raising quail one day. It is also a good caterpillar food source for leafwing and starred skipper butterflies which means a good distraction for the caterpillars so they are not eating my veggies. I think all this is enough for me to say I'm not going to bother pulling it up anymore. 

One of the mystery weeds was actually also woolly croton if it is allowed to finish growing. All the ones I have been taking pictures of are apparently adolescence. Just goes to show how different plants can look at different stages. I should know this by now considering the alligator juniper looks totally different as a grown-up. The chinaberry is also a super pretty toddler and looks totally different all grown-up.