Lettuce lace? That can't be right

I know, I know. I can't help myself. Walking by beautiful flowers and plants that I have no clue what they are intrigue me. And this batch is mystifying. Somehow, the lower plants manage to look a bit like lettuce, and at the same time, like someone is growing lace. No matter -- the arrangements are beautiful.

Then there is this conundrum. All these flags around what appear to be wood stumps. Best guess is the flags mark where seeds have been sown. And yes, of course nosy me will be passing by daily to see it anything takes off.