Be careful what you wish for

Anyone who's read more than three of my posts is probably aware of my obsession with water and rain.  Even before California was officially declared to be in severe drought, I was concerned about our limited rainfall and diminishing water reserves.  In addition to removing all our lawn and introducing more drought-tolerant plants, we have three tanks to store rainwater, a gray water system to water our back slope, and drip lines and soaker hoses in various locations.  We jump on signs of water leaks and last year replaced the copper pipe from the street to the house to head off any further pinhole leaks.  We even save shower water daily for use in flushing toilets.  However, none of that stops me from praying for a good rainy season every year.  Forecasters hadn't predicted this would be a good water year but the storms that moved through California one after another for a few weeks now seem to have defied expectations.  Unfortunately, a lot of rain coming at once presents its own problems.  

We had our entire roof replaced and work on our chimney done in 2019 as part of our home renovation.  Barely 3 years later, after the strong burst of rain we've had with a few recent storms, our roof is leaking in the living room next to the chimney.  My husband was unable to locate the problem when examining the roof (although he installed a chimney cap he discovered was missing).  The roofing contractor will stop by to check his crew's work within the next 3 days but my husband suspects the problem lies with the chimney work.

 

The problem with our "new" roof is annoying but we know it's something that can be fixed and we have a tarp in place for the time being.  In the relative scheme of things, it's nothing by comparison to what others have experienced.  We haven't faced power outages, flooding, or mudslides, much less the loss of loved ones, as other Californians have.  While the northern part of the state was hit harder, Southern California had trouble with the last two storms, which led to evacuations in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties.

Meanwhile, the garden's response to the rain is already evident.

The leaves winding their way through the shrub here are those of the wild cucumber vine (Echinocystis lobata, aka prickly cucumber and lace pants).  It's not related to cucumbers at all and it's not edible, although parts of it have been used in folk medicines.  It can quickly grow 25-30 feet.  It's not native to California and prefers wet shade but it will grow in dry areas when they receive higher than average rain - bingo!  CORRECTION:  Hoover Boo of Piece of Eden identified this wild cucumber as Marah macrocarpa, which is also a fast-growing vine with non-edible fruit but it is a California native.

I planted this Isopogon anemonifolius (aka broadleaf drumstick) in 2018.  It hasn't bloomed often and generally produces just a single flower when it does but it looks like it's gearing up for a better year.

Leucospermum 'Goldie' is already producing buds.  It's bloomed as early as late February in some years but March is more common.

Limonium perezii only finished blooming a few months ago and it's already gearing up to do so again.

Seedlings of Nigella, Consolida ajacis (larkspur), Orlaya grandiflora,  Lathyrus annuus (sweet peas), and Anemone coronaria are coming along

The bulbs are rallying too.

The Hippeastrums got off to a slow start but all except 'Estella' have sprouted at last

The Dutch Iris and Freesias throughout the garden have sprouted

The Narcissi are flaunting their foliage and a few flowers

Scilla maderensis (aka Madeiran squill) has sprouted as well but it remains to be seen whether I'll see flowers this year from these 3 bulbs, planted in 2020.  After planting them I learned that it can take up to 4 years for them to bloom.  The best news is that I've avoided sticking a trowel or a shovel through them.  You can find photos of these rare bulbs with amethyst-colored blooms here.

At present, it looks like we're in for a welcome pause between storms.  The rain abated mid-afternoon yesterday and it appears we may be dry until Saturday, with another possible pause on Sunday before still more rain arrives late Sunday continuing into Monday.  If a genie ever offers me a wish, I guess I'd need to carefully outline caveats with respect to rain.  Our seasonal rain total (counted from October 1, 2022) is significantly lower than what's been reported for other parts of the state.  It currently stands at 8.23 inches.

All material © 2012-2023 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party