Water tumbles down the rain chain outside my open window. It’s art in motion, combining visual and auditory stimulation. Perfect partners for the article I’m writing about rain chains, rain barrels and rain gardens. Of course, our gracious Creator would send me rain as inspiration.
Yesterday, I planted more tomatoes and made identification tags for the roses I’ve planted this year. I’m trialing three Easy Elegance roses, and they are supposed to be scented. My fingers are crossed. Rose hybridizers have worked on the disease-resistant, scented rose conundrum for a long time. Katie M., a gardener friend, gave the Diva an ‘April Moon’ rose for her Confirmation present. ‘April Moon’ is a Griffith Buck rose, which makes me very happy. Other than ‘Serendipity’ and ‘Distant Drums,’ Buck roses have been great performers in my Oklahoma garden. The Diva is just happy because it is yellow, her favorite color. ‘April Moon’ is supposed to be highly scented, so I planted it next to a red rock pathway opposite the ‘Dynamite’ crapemyrtle, where it will be backed by golden daylilies. My hope is that as summer’s evening sun sets, everything will begin to glow.
Right now, none of the roses are blooming. It’s too early in the season, but the rain bruised the leaves of the roses next to the open window, and the scent wafts in on the cool breeze. It is 65F here today, which is very nice. Although spring and fall are our rainy seasons, there are years when nothing falls from the sky, and we and the plants choke on sienna-colored dust.
The oak trees are blooming, and their pollen floats on the air. The rain will knock the pollen to the ground for a few days and help allergy sufferers like my son, ASW.
I’m grateful for the rain which washes everything anew even when it destroys my gravel path. What are you grateful for today?
Dee,
I’m actually sick of all the rain we have been getting, but if I had a rain chain I’d be happy to see it continue (for a little while, anyway). Laurie told me about your giveaway, and I thought I would enter. I’ve never actually heard a rain chain, because I’ve only seen them when it is dry outside, on garden tours and such. If I had one, I’d hang it on my back patio. My patio is recessed, and then I sit there sometimes and enjoy the weather, but it would be even better with a rain chain. I think I’ll check out that website!
I love your rain chain. I have always wanted one…I have the perfect spot, but sadly not the funds for one…ah well, some day! I hope you let us in on the construction of the brick walk-way. We are planning to do one here, and have differing opinions as to design and construction. Hmmmm, wonder who will win this one? Ha!
Dee, I wish so much that I could see your garden in person! Every time you post a picture of a portion of it, I try to picture the whole and I’m very bad at visualization. Everything is “just right.”
Love your rain chain! The girls got me one for Christmas. They’re so cool. Hope you get some rain soon!
Oh I just love rain chains! They are very popular here in the PNW. I have boring old gutters, but would love to replace the gutter in my veggie garden with a rain chain. I’m always amazed how lush your garden is, no matter what time of year!
I’m grateful for each thing in its time ( so long as there is not TOO much of it!)
I love your rain chain- what a great idea to have where it is noticed through your window.
And yes, God is so very good 🙂
Ilona´s last blog post..Time to prune Mugo pines
Ilona, thanks. The placement of the rain chain was HH’s idea. He’s the brains behind structure development around here. I just place and tend the plants.~~Dee
I am afraid to complain that it’s been raining a lot here, as it may stop, which — as you know — creates another kind of problem. I love rain chains and yours is especially attractive. We have enough gusher rains here (along with some drainage issues) that gutters are a must. But perhaps we could put one on our teahouse once that is finished.
I’m grateful that the plants I bought over the last three weeks are still surviving in their pots, waiting for the rain to stop and for the garden to dry out so I can plant them.
Linda from Each Little World´s last blog post..A pair of bouquets
Ah, Linda, one on your teahouse would be splendid I think. So very Japanese. Yes, too much rain causes as many problems as too little. Here’s hoping you’ll get just enough in the coming months.~~Dee
Hi Dee, like you, I am so very grateful for rain, like we are having at the moment. When we go several days, or more than a week without rain, visions of dried up plants and cracked earth enter as nightmares. No amount of watering can compare to what rain offers us. Your rain chain is magnificent. We looked at some very nice, but very pricey ones while at the Biltmore. I really like the design of yours and the photo of it is fabulous. Good luck with all the new roses, too. 🙂
Frances
Frances´s last blog post..Whirling Frolic Of The Dianthus*
Thanks Frances. Yes, some are very, very pricey. Mine was somewhat expensive, which is why I only have one. 🙂 . Don’t you just love the Biltmore? I know I do.~~Dee
I have never seen a rain chain before, what a wonderful thing, where did you find it? Dee your garden is already looking stunning.
Thank you, darling Sarah. I found it at http://www.rainchains.com. I bought a basin for it too and will fill it with beach glass. Ah, the creativity that goes into a garden.~~Dee
I am grateful that I have a front garden left after my garden janitor went mad and cleared out all my groundcovers!
All he is supposed to do is clear rake the leaves – he is under strict orders NEVER to cut, NEVER to touch a plant in any way … but every few years he just goes crazy and runs amok. This year, it wasn’t as bad as in the past – and for this I am grateful.
Whew! That felt good! I really needed to get that off my chest – Thanks for the opportunity, Dee – and the lovely pics of your garden in the rain…
Germi´s last blog post..Little Ladies Working Hard
Germi, LOL.~~Dee
I just love, love, love your rain chain. Dare I admit that I’ve never even heard of one before? I can just imagine the sound of it. How wonderful. I’m glad I came by to catch up!
Aisling´s last blog post..Poetry Thursday – Dandelion
Thank you Aisling. I hadn’t seen one until about two years ago myself. I love mine and wish I could afford to replace all of the gutters with them.~~Dee
Well, I’m always grateful when it’s raining instead of snowing! Can’t wait to see your rose pictures. We’re heading towards 65 degrees this weekend, a pleasant change from the highs-in-the-40’s-weather we’ve had this week. I’ll be grateful for the warmer weather, too.
VW´s last blog post..Spokane Snow vs. Seattle Rain
VW, yes, no more snow! The roses just started blooming today (5/1) with only a bloom here or there, but before long, it will be like heaven.~~Dee
ps Dee, I love the rain chain!
Gail´s last blog post..A Practically Perfect Pink Phlox Wednesday
Thanks Gail. It is fun, isn’t it?~~Dee
Dear Dee, I am grateful to have friends who share a passion for gardening, show us inspiring garden photos and care enough to ask what we are grateful for…and that the PPPP is blooming so beautifully this morning. gail
Gail´s last blog post..A Practically Perfect Pink Phlox Wednesday
Hi Dee ~ I’m grateful that I had a moment to visit your stunning garden. (Hours logged in mine over this exploding heatwave weekend left me time-deprived but happy 🙂 And I MUST find the perfect spot for a rain chain … at cottage on the lake might be perfect! Thank you for sharing.
joey´s last blog post..DELIGHTFUL SPRING JOYS ~ LUSCIOUS LEMON MOUSSE
I love to listen to the rain on the roof at night when I am snuggled in bed. It is so soothing.
I’m thankful our April heat wave is over.
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I am grateful that my DB got the lawn mowed between rains. I love to come home from work and see the lawn neat and tidy ready for me to be home the rest of the week to enjoy it.
I love rain chains. I think they sound so interesting with the water running down them. I have only seen them in use in one place. I wonder why people don’t use them more?? They look much more charming than those gutters running down the side of the house.
The rain chain looks lovely. I’m afraid to try one until we get all our drainage issues sorted out. Your garden seems to glow in the rain, with the colors all saturated.
I am grateful for Bluebells and Stylophorum blooming together in wild abandon.
Mr. McGregor’s Daughter´s last blog post..The Relativity of Time
I could almost feel the aroma of your garden!
I am grateful for my family that loves my gardening and for having a garden.
I love that rain chain… something to add to my list to get for my own house some day.
I am grateful to have the strength and stamina to mow my own lawn and I’m grateful to have my own lawn and a garden and flowers and vegetables in my garden…
Carol, May Dreams Gardens´s last blog post..The Society Meets Again: What’s In A Name and Dwarf Bearded Irises