An unapologetic plant geek shares advice and opinions on gardening, the contrived and the natural landscape, as well as occasional topics from the other side of the gate.

September 30, 2010

Be Careful What You Wish For

Since Sunday we have gotten about 10" of rain, 6 of those inches have fallen today and more is predicted for tonight. All day long we have been laying on the tracks of a Caribbean rain freight train. Getting to work this morning was a real adventure with so many flooded intersections and underpasses, even without mentioning the overturned vegetable oil truck blocking I-64. The whole region is a wet mess. We did indeed need the rain, but that wish was granted earlier in the week. Even though we have had a few minor roof leaks, I am pleased the basement has remained dry. Outside there were a couple of garden casualties, but nothing serious.

Here is the obligatory beads of water on foliage photo (Plume Poppy - Macleaya cordata).

Macleaya cordata


This past spring I planted 3 Salvia leucanthas. One of them really took off well and above the rest. I would laud its superior size and number of blooms over the others. Because of my pride it was taken by the storm. All that extra growth could not handle the weight of the rain. So here is a picture of the middle child.

Salvia leucantha


Another storm casualty was the Amorphophallus konjac, though it will be fine. With the foliage bent over you can really see the Vitiligo-like stalk.

Beaten Amorphophallus


Beaten Dahlia

Beaten Dahlia


Though likely due to the drought, the foliage of my Baptisia x 'Purple Smoke' has begun to fall prematurely. I do like its slate color which has mixed well on the sidewalk with some Crape Myrtle leaves and Sedum.

Fallen


A temporary casualty of the weather has been Loretta's peace of mind. She has been on edge and reluctant to go out since Sunday. I should probably poke around the house some to see if maybe she hasn't held everything in the past few days.

Loretta Considers the Weather 2


Loretta Considers the Weather

20 comments:

  1. Still coming down by the bucket fulls here. I ended up staying home with Morgan today. Her school had a two hour delay but with the weather like it was and the tornado watches this morning we decided to stay in.
    Tomorrow trip into work should be interesting.

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  2. Well we got at least 5 inches, very much needed. Did you hear Wilmington, NC got 21.5 inches? Hurricane fran dropped only 19.5 inches there. Meg's daughter is going to school there, it is closed because of rain...

    Our garden is smashed too, the Swamp Sunflower is flattened into a 16 foot diameter circle!

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  3. So grateful for the rai here, it had not rained in over 30 days before we got some last week. Great pictures, Gina

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  4. Poor Loretta and poor you. We had the same type of rain this spring, twelve inches in 24 hours. There's just nowhere for all that rain to go. The good news is most everything will bounce back. Thank goodness.~~dee

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  5. Poor Loretta! Although you have some casualties, it is clear that you've gardened for a long time, and repeatedly point out that it's just a temporary bump in the road. Hopefully the sun will come out soon.

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  6. It's always like eating too much or famine, isn't it? Wilmington got totally dunked. We got 9.5" here since Monday.

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  7. Even in Western Mass we are feeling the tropical air and loving the rain... though some may have flooding ... I hope it will not come to that. At least no tornados! I find it all very refreshing and delicious for the gardens and trees. I hope your flowers revive and your sweet doggie too. ;>)

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  8. Loretta definitely looks unhappy. Only got about 6" today up here in Chesterfield but my cats weren't too happy either. Be careful what you wish for, indeed.

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  9. Yep it was a rainy week, hope the sun comes out today. I'm not going to complain after this dry summer, but enough is enough already. :)

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  10. Oh poor sweet Loretta! Her soulfull expression speaks volumes! I am so sorry for your plant losses. It hurts us here to know that you are getting too much rain while things are dying here from lack of it. Several Chamaecyparis have perished already, big ones, from drought stress. Who knows how many more are beyond saving? I love that Salvia, and others, that wait until so late to begin blooming. But still worth the wait. May your basement stay dry.
    Frances

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  11. Les, thanks for the note. So glad to learn about Tidewater Gardener, as well.

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  12. Oh, Loretta. I hope the worst is over for all of you. haven't been out yet this morning to see what got the beat-down after our 4+" yesterday, but expect some loss. it's that time of year, though. Your baptisia/sedum image is a beautiful fall collage.

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  13. Les, There's nothing sadder then rain bedraggled blooms! We know what intense rain events are like here in nashville~But, we haven't seen much rain since the floods. Hoping sweet Loretta starts to feel better! gail

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  14. Let's hope the drought is over. Our gauge read 12.44 inches in Gloucester. Blooms are sad; roots are happy.

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  15. We are up to 13.5 inches here as of this morning - reminding me very much of Hurricane Floyd. I was rejoicing at the prospect of lots of rain this week but not this much! The only plant casualty I'm aware of was a dahlia - but I haven't gone out for a good look-see yet. Loretta looks like a sweet heart.

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  16. We were visiting family this past week on the east coast and fortunately left just before the rains came. Happy you got some moisture, but not so for the amount.

    Have a great weekend.

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  17. I was going to tell you how much I like the photo of the leaves ... until I saw the dog. That's a great dog.

    Thanks for the links to help me identify my hydrangea. I'm sticking with my Sabrina theory, even though I'm not certain. Also, I have a rooted start. If you'd like one, drop me an e-mail with your address: thesorrygardener [at] gmail [dot] com.

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  18. Well, we got a bunch of rain here in Maryland too, but I'm not complaining. I don't think I will ever complain about rain again. It does seem like nature can't quite get a handle on moderation when it comes to rainfall. Nice pictures in any case!

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  19. Poor Loretta suffered too apparently form the rain, you can see that in her expression. I hope your garden will recover too, indeed we need to be careful with our wishes to mother nature.

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  20. 10 inches! I love the images of the bruised, wet leaves.

    It’s pouring in Maine too. After a very dry summer we are having a wet fall. Not so good for painting watercolors but it’s good for writing.

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