How wonderful it was to hear the rain coming down on the garden last night. This morning brought happy scenes to view. The Perennial Peanut and Pink Guara have both weathered drought conditions well and have bloomed in spite of being dry. Even drought tolerant plants appreciate a little rain though and I think they looked just a little lovelier with the moisture.
A native groundcover that is starting to spread beneath the oak is Ruellia caroliniensis. More blooms greeted me this morning after the rain than in the last month. This is the first year for them in my garden. They seemed to go dormant after December until about February. Since this was a mild winter, I'm wondering how they'll do long term. I was very happy to see them reappear and to find some seedlings along with the original plants. There is a lot of bare ground left for them to cover.
Coming around a curve in the path, I noticed that the Pinecone Gingers are looking better with some hydration. All the gingers have been suffering in the drought but they have held on and I'm hoping for lots of blooms once the rains begin. The ground orchid, Epidendrum ibaguense, is stretching toward the sun in its mostly shady location. It has grown more stems and I think I might move a few sprigs to a little sunnier spot.
I am so thankful for this rain event as it has renewed and refreshed a garden that was getting quite crispy around the edges.
Yes things do look refreshed here too.
ReplyDeleteI think you got some of the rain before we did in central Fl. I can tell your garden has enjoyed it by looking at your lovely pictures on your blog:)
DeleteI know just how you feel Nana. Everything at our place is doing so much better after the rain we've been getting. Our rain barrel which holds 160 gallons filled up in no time, we have the work shop gutter and house gutter going to it. Plan to hook up a drip irrigation system to it.
ReplyDeleteYour guara blooms are lovely as are the ruellia blooms. My reed orchids are doing fantastic too as are my wild vandas that just grow by themselves with little care from me. What is nice about both of these orchids is that you can take bits with the roots and put them anywhere and they just keep on growing and blooming.
Happy gardening and have a wonderful weekend.
FlowerLady
I don't know how many gallons my rain barrels hold. They're probably about 55 gallons each. They sure fill up fast though. It's amazing! The water they hold comes in handy during drought times for sure. I hope my reedstems do as well as yours. I would love a whole patch of them.
DeleteWow, those perennial peanut really is covering the ground. Love those Pink Guara with the rain drop, very pretty. I seem not have much luck with Guara plants in my garden. It simply not growing, not blooming, just sitting there :(
ReplyDeleteDown here, we have been having rains almost everyday this week. I guess rainy season is coming.
Yes, that patch of peanut has done really well, so well I can't always keep up with edging it :) Funny how I can overlook things until I see a picture.
DeleteForgot to mention, my Epidendrum orchid is in a full sun area. They bloom more when in a sunny area. It has been blooming like crazy for a good three months now.
ReplyDeleteOh, thanks for the info. I'm going to move a few pieces and see what they prefer. I really wanted them to stand taller rather than reach out horizontally like they are now.
DeleteHi Nana K...I, too, am thankful for the first substantial rain we've had this spring. Sprinklers just don't do the same job as a nice rainshower. Let's hope there's more coming sooner than later. Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteI do hope we get more rain soon. But at least I have some saved in the rain barrels. I think I'll be using some of that up this coming week though by the looks of the weather report.
DeleteI'd love to see the perennial peanut from afar. Everything here got a good drink too, especially the tree seedlings! Enjoy the joy it brings your garden!
ReplyDeleteWhat kind of tree seedlings do you have? Edible?
DeleteWhat a beautiful drippy photo of the gaura! I love, love, love those sun sparkles on each drip-drop! That perennial peanut has done an awesome job covering the ground. I might have to rip some more St. Augustine lawn up soon.... ; )
ReplyDeleteI've been very happy with the peanut and plan to use more of it for backyard ground cover. But, I don't have to rip out anything but a hodgepodge of weeds.
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