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Rain and Spring!

12 years ago

I am starting a new post, because one below was actually mostly written in 2011, and it is confusing. Anyway, we here in the No SF Bay Area have had maybe 5 inches of rain since July, 2011 when the "season" started. Normal to date is almost three times that! However, in the last 3 weeks my garden has probably gotten over 2 inches of rain, so I am not complaining.

As soon as it rained (which it had not done since November, except for one wimpy storm in Dec), everything started to sprout, bloom, etc. I really think the plants were waiting for rain. So, since it started to rain here are plants I have noticed that have STARTED TO BLOOM, which were doing nothing before:

acacia trees - all over the county (they are late)

fruit trees - plums, cherries, etc - (also a bit late)

daffodils and narcissus all over my garden - up & blooming

crocus

hellebores (mine have been blooming since Jan, because I watered them)

camellias

iris foetida

an ancient medium bearded iris that has been in my garden forever

lunaria (money plant)

some yellow blooming hedge thing

Roses: (not counting the ones which have never stopped)

banksie lutea

Mme Alfred Carriere

Cl Cecile Brunner

Safrano

Cramoisi Superior

I have probably missed something, but you get the idea. Now the sun has come out, so I have to go into the garden and see what I can do standing only on the sidewalk, driveway, or paths, because the beds are much too wet. Wonderful problem!

Jackie

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Comments (4)

ogrose_tx
12 years ago
Yes, that is a wonderful problem! We've been getting rain, too, not too much but will take anything we can get. I had planned on starting to prune today right off my patio so wouldn't have to get too wet, but it never happened (my local spa had 35% off pedicure, so... important things first, besides, they gave me a glass of wine!) Will try for tomorrow, supposed to be 75, but a good chance of rain. Valentine's Day seems to be the set time to start in the Dallas area, but it can wait until it dries out. What I'm worried about is getting a freeze which could very easily happen.
jacqueline9CA
Original Author
12 years ago
I forgot to mention the "volunteers" that are blooming now. The yellow oxalis, of course - looks great with the first daffodils. Also some sort of watsonia - long leaves with red/orange flowers. Planted itself in a rose bed right next to the storm gutter - I assume the seed was washing down the street and decided to stay. This plant, whatever it is, has naturalized in vacant lots all over our neighborhood.

Jackie
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mendocino_rose
12 years ago
I'm always a month behind you up here. There is a lot going on though. Many roses are leafing. The daffodils are blooming as are some reblooming iris. My ornamental apricot is blooming but it always does in Feb. The weather can be so fickle. Last year we had a huge snow in March. Now a days I don't know what to think.
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12 years ago
It all sounds so lovely, Jackie! You need to share a picture of you spring beauties for all of us still stuck in the gray drearies!

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