Our devastating drought has altered the state of our gardens here in Central Texas and it's changed our mindset, too.
We're not used to rain. Not a little rain, not a lot of rain. We've had so much rain here this month that we don't know what to do with it.
There's so much green in my garden that I have to wear shades to walk through it. My plants would now like a little sun to shine as well, but they've never been quite so lush.
A ribbon of catmint, Mexican feather grass and lamb's ears lines the front of this Southwest cottage-style bed.
The lamb's ears make a dramatic statement when they are all standing at attention in full bloom.
The black and blue salvia and lingering bluebonnets echo the blue in the large ceramic pot in the front bed.
Soft and spiky plants share this bed, providing sculptural interest and contrasting textures. Soon the color of Mexican limelight salvia and orange tecoma stans will add to this palette.
Beautiful blooms are vying for my attention in the cutting garden - ready to come join me in the house!
Ditch lilies, Klondike cosmos, larkspur, shasta daisies, purple coneflowers and clematis are all showing off in the cutting bed.
This morning, I picked this bouquet for my mom and dad, who are celebrating their wedding anniversary today. But tornado warnings and unrelenting thunderstorms kept me home this afternoon and they had to enjoy them via a photo. So, now we can all enjoy them.
New spring plantings are growing and the caladiums are shooting up out of the ground as fast as I can count them.
I'm smitten with the Mexican bird of paradise,
Caesalpinia Mexicana, and its exotic and wispy blooms.
The brilliant purple flags of these Amistad salvia provide a backdrop for senorita Rosalita cleome, dianthus and yarrow.
It's delightful to walk through the garden with the grass squishing under your clogs, appreciating the much-needed rain.
The brilliant purple flags of these Amistad salvia provide a backdrop for senorita Rosalita cleome, dianthus and yarrow.
As long as it isn't carrying away your house, rain is good - it's certainly making your garden shine. An article in today's Los Angeles Times says that what's happening in Texas and elsewhere in the Southwest presages a wetter winter for SoCal too, which will be welcome even if it's not expected to herald the end of our drought, which depends more on recovery of the snowpack in NorCal than rain in SoCal.
ReplyDeleteWe're supposed to have a wetter and cooler than average summer. At this rate, the xeric plants will not be happy, but we desperately need the rain. Just wish it didn't come with life-threatening floods as well.
ReplyDeleteYour garden looks fabulous! Most of my cactus are in pots, but I do wonder what will happen to the ones in the ground if this rain keeps up. For the most part they are planted on the high ground, so they should be okay. On another note, my black and blue salvia looks incredible. It's planted in an unirrigated spot and has always looked straggly until this year. I really had no idea it could look so good. I guess it just needed a drink or two or three :)
ReplyDeleteAlly - It really is amazing what a good dose of water will do for a garden. I'd forgotten what it can look like!
ReplyDeleteDiana, I was just thinking the same thing. So lush. So much green. So few blooms.~~Dee
ReplyDeleteDee -- With all the damage done by these terrible storms, my garden needs seem so trivial. It's just bizarre on the heels of this incredible drought. I guess ours is not to question why -- just shift gears again and keep on going!
ReplyDeleteIt looks beautiful Diana. I hope that you and your family remain safe.
ReplyDeleteSo pretty!!!!
ReplyDeleteJayne - Thanks -- we are high on a hill, so we're safe from rushing water. It's been just awful watching all the devastation from the rain.
ReplyDeleteKacky - Thanks!
Diana, I must say those are some beautiful pictures of landscapes you posted here. Take the blessings of extra water because here in California is really tough and some of our beauty is fading at a high rate. We have a major water restriction that makes it even worse to see our landscape wither away.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.ConservativeLandscapes.com
Diana, I must say those are some beautiful pictures of landscapes you posted here. Take the blessings of extra water because here in California is really tough and some of our beauty is fading at a high rate. We have a major water restriction that makes it even worse to see our landscape wither away.
ReplyDeleteSorry for the repost but I wanted to say I'm a real person. Jose Lopez
Your garden is looking beautiful! It's nice when you have enough to share with the inside too! I love your arrangement.
ReplyDeleteJose - Thanks for sharing. Having been through extreme drought ourselves here for the last 5 years running, we feel your pain. Austin has been in stage 2 water restrictions for 2-1/2 years straight. We are thankful for the rain, but the severity of the weather and the loss of life is just heartbreaking.
ReplyDeleteLaura - Thanks. I know I call that the cutting garden but I rarely remember to cut from it!
Your garden looks great.
ReplyDeleteI have some things, like black & blue sage, that need to be moved...if it EVER dries out enough to dig.
You have caladiums in front? Deer don't eat them?