Since last Thursday, it’s rained every day throughout most of Oklahoma. I took these pictures after this morning’s rain. I’m not sure how much rain we’ve received because I forgot to empty my rain gauge before drops began to fall. According to the Oklahoma Mesonet, Guthrie received 3.28 inches in the last seven days. I know RDR received more, maybe because we’re a bit south of the city. I woke up to a rainy Monday. The garden is waterlogged with moisture. Mr. Sun needs to come out from behind the clouds and shine so I can weed before the grassy weeds decide to make my garden their permanent home. I’m definitely three steps behind, but lucky for me, a friend, Kari, offered to come and work with me in the garden for a few weeks to catch up. This is the first time I’ve ever hired help, but it’s been such a blessing.
I’m always a bit superstitious to complain of rainy days–and I’m not complaining here–because I’m afraid no rain will fall until late September–if then. Over half of Oklahoma is still in extreme drought or worse, although the latest rainfall totals should alleviate it some. Our pond is still low after three years of extreme temperatures and little rainfall. Drought is something Oklahomans always discuss when they get together during the dry years.
Since I’ve had so much indoor time, I finally did some reading. Normally, I don’t read many garden books in summer because I usually save garden dreaming and reading for winter days. However, I started a book I bought when I spoke in Augusta. I’m only in Chapter Two of Deep-Rooted Wisdom: Stories and Skills from Generations of Gardeners
Here are a few more photos of the garden which is thriving. I only have one spot where a coleus threesome is sulking. I think it’s because they are situated in the bottom third of a terraced border. Unfortunately, all moisture drains into it and overwhelms the plantings when we get a lot of rain very quickly. Such is life full of its failures and successes. Now, let’s focus on success.
My photo of Hemerocallis ‘Lace Cookies’ doesn’t do this daylily justice. It is a lovely golden yellow, but it also has a golden edge to its petals that frames the flower. ‘Lace Cookies’ grows in front of a red rose, ‘Dame de Coeur’ that just bloomed and needs deadheading. Mexican feather grass grows behind both of them providing a nice contrast to the strong scapes (stems) of this daylily.
Daylily season is just starting which is unusual, but I’m glad things are unfolding slowly. In a week, I hope to have a lot more blooms because I’m entering our local club’s daylily show. So much fun.
Below is H. ‘Black Sheep’ a Trimmer introduction. I really love it against my ‘Tamukeyama’ Japanese maple. Such a great color echo.
Here’s one from one of my favorite local hybridizers. Just look at that shade of pink. Scrumptious.
The daylilies and roses are loving the rain. I can’t wait to see what else they all do this week. Oh, by the way, I also wrote a new post on The 20-30 Something Garden Guide blog called “You don’t need Miracle-Gro®” because you really don’t. Just improve your soil to make your plants fat and happy.
Have a great week everyone. Here’s hoping you get a rain-soaked day too.
Hi Dee. I was happy to read you are getting rain. I remember how dry the last few years were in your part of the country. Trees need a reprieve and the ground water need replenishing. We had drought here as well, though not as bad as OK. Your garden looks wonderful, I love the structure in the potager garden, beautiful. I too feel a garden does not need Miracle Gro. When the soil says.”No”, time for the compost to tame the thick red clay like we have in my garden. Even though the clay is rich in minerals, nothing pretty would grow here without compost. We are on gorge bedrock glued together with clay! I make compost all year to help with the clay-rock problem. I also have a natural spring right beneath my property, so water drains away easily. It is tough gardening along a gorge.
Hi Donna, I’m fortunate that my soil is sandy with pockets of clay. However, Oklahomans on the west side of I-35 know exactly what you’re describing. That clay soil, which I began gardening in when I was a teen, is a booger to work with. You’re absolutely right. Compost is truly the answer for so many soil problems. After all, that’s the way nature intended soil to build. We can look to the forests for confirmation. It is very tough gardening along a gorge. I can only imagine.
I know what you mean about being superstitious regarding complaining about rain. We haven’t experienced as much drought as you have, but the summer of 2012 scared me. That was the worst drought I’ve ever experienced, and our trees, shrubs, and some perennials are still recovering almost two years later. Anyway, I hope you get some sunny days now so you can get out in the garden. We’ve had a good mix of sun and rain so far (knock on wood) this spring/summer. Your Daylily collection is fabulous! Mine haven’t started blooming yet, but that event is definitely a highlight of the summer!
Hi Beth, I was very frightened in 2011. I had never seen such heat in all my years of growing. It burned up everything and truly, everything here still hasn’t completely recovered. I lost a lot of trees and roses. It’s what happens with extremes. Happy daylily times to you too. Very soon.
Hi Dee, everything is looking so lush and gorgeous. Your day lilies are fab, especially ‘Always and foreer’ which is a new one to me. Mine are not yet out yet, so that is a treat in store …
We are having a wet time of it here in the uk, as you are. The growth is fantastic but it is ruining the roses and peonies, as it is making their heads so wet and heavy.
Hi Jane, thanks for stopping by. I love when the daylilies start to bloom. We’re supposed to get more rain tomorrow which is such a surprise really. My roses are loving the moisture, but it is hard on their sweet nodding heads. The peonies finished quickly when we had a hot spell during their bloom time.
It’s looking lovely as always. I really love that Hemerocallis ‘Black Sheep’. What a beauty. Great you’ve had rain to alleviate the drought conditions
Hi Dee – Isn’t this rain fantastic? Your garden is gorgeous as always!
Oh I bet your gardens are enjoying all this rain…we have been dry this month…seems like it may stay that way but it is central NY and our weather changes every other day…
Donna, they are growing so fast I can hardly keep up. Not a bad thing. Hoping for rain for you soon.
Your garden looks so happy with all the rain you have been getting. I had my first daylily bloom yesterday. I don’t know the name of it but it is a fun time of year when they begin to bloom. In answer to your question about my garden..it is doing just fine. My computer on the other hand is a mess and isn’t straightened out as yet. I will be posting when I can. Enjoy the rain while you have it. Cheers.
Oh Lisa, that’s right. I forgot your computer was messed up. I’m so sorry. I miss your writings though. Thanks for stopping by and reminding me.
Reading and weeding on a rain-soaked Monday http://t.co/DG88spJcLe #garden
Reading and weeding on a rain-soaked Monday http://t.co/nBm2quMwCw
Reading and weeding on a rain-soaked Monday http://t.co/nBm2quMwCw http://t.co/PuopsjvAKe