IN THE FIELD: Revisiting The Neighbors Wildflower Garden
In the area where I live, we have received very little rainfall this summer, except for last night’s deluge. It’s been super hot and dry, yet with high humidity. The weatherman predicts storms, and we see them on the radar, but they always seem to swerve out of our way. It’s either an attempt on the weatherman’s part to be funny, or there is a force field over the top of the mountain here.
Compared to earlier this spring when the neighbors wildflower garden was profuse with color, the lack of water this summer has dramatically affected the garden. The plants bloom, but the flowers only last a day or two.
Although, there are some late summer plants that are thriving in the dry conditions. With any luck, we will get some relief soon and the garden will have a chance to put on a show later this season.
Neighbor “P” and I discussed the idea of running a hose from his house to a series of soaker hoses out to the wildflower garden, but after we priced out 600 feet of hose, we felt mother nature would be the better route to take. Good thing is, last night’s storms confirmed our decision.
David Heilman 
I think it’s rained here the past 2 or 3 days and we got a bit this morning too. Much needed but alas too late for some of the flowers.
We got dumped on last night and there is more headed our way. The skies are talking as I type this…so we’ll see if the “deflector shields” are still in place or not.
Beautiful colors, David! We had a short break from our dry spell last week, but the weeds were what got the most out of it!
Ah the weeds…I was out weeding the front walkway yesterday…I couldn’t believe the size of the pile I tossed into the woods! After having temps in the high 90’s it’s actually cool outside…mid 70’s…but only for today and then make to the 90’s again. Betcha we have a frigid winter!!!
Glad that nature provided. Hope the downpour brought some coolness but i know the humidity get get right back up there so it is a temporary relief.I like the flow of colour from the black-eyed Susans (I think that is what they are.)
Most of the rain fell at night Thursday and Friday and it is remarkably cooler. It’s only 74 degrees today and not nearly as humid. Some of the flowers are black eyed Susans, Queen Anne’s Lace, and Echinacea. And there are some miniature sunflowers just out of view, but they were looking rather tired.
The flowers look as if they’ve been scorched by the heat. Are they gardenias? I can’t remember. I’m glad you have finally had some rain. Maybe the sun is heading our way?
Except for the Queen Anne’s Lace, the garden is looking tired. I would imagine the drenching rains and subsequent sprinkle/showers will help. It rained it rained!!! I think Cornell is correct in thinking the flowers are Rudbeckia (black/brown eyed Susans) I have never seen this variety though…I hope they last a bit longer with the refreshments served from the skies!
I’m pleased you had some welcome rain to refresh things a little.
I wanted to run around in it, but with all the lightning and thunder so close I didn’t think it was wise. Thursday night we took the Cairns out for their last constitutional before bed while it was quiet. Seconds before I was about to call them back inside, a bolt of lightning touched down somewhere really close. I sounded like something blew up. Scared the living daylights out of all of us! Boy Cairn thought it was a monster attacking us and I had to chase him down, pick him up and carry him in. Sorry for being long winded…things have greened up a little…it was a welcome drink and it’s a lot cooler. I hope it was enough for the fall flowers!
I love Rudbeckia! It’s a wonderful flower.
So do I, at our old house we had one whole corner of the back garden filled with them. It was beautiful! I really miss that little garden spot we had. We called it our oasis.
🙂
The good thing about wildflowers is though that they “know” what to do about changing conditions.
They sure do…they’ve had millions of years to figure it out. I guess they somehow get enough moisture from the air and what little water is in the dry soil. Survival of the fittest.
Great colors and photo! Glad you had some rain. We’re looking forward to some rain next week, hopefully.
Thanks Fergie, yay finally the skies let loose! It’s been much cooler although it is still a bit humid, but the relief has been welcome! Hope it rains for you guys soon too!!!
So beautiful… I am so glad to hear that you had rain… Thank you dear David, love, nia
Yes, finally we got some rain, and another really big storm came through last night!
Beautiful photo, David! I want to plant a wildflower garden, but too much shade in the available areas right now. I plan to make room for wildflowers next year. Glad you got some rain and I hope more since this was posted.
When we lived at out previous house we had a little oasis out back, completely different here in the woods. Lots of shade here limits our plantings. Maybe at the next place it will be different. I can imagine you having a spectacular wildflower garden! We have gotten a little more rain, so things aren’t quite as dry.
Haven’t seen these kind of flowers in a very long time 🙂 beautiful! 🙂
They sure are pretty…a bit short lived due to the heat and lack of rain…although we have finally had some storms roll through here the last couple of nights. Hopefully they have brought enough moisture for the late season bloomers!
So beautiful, David. I have a garden spot but it’s so dry here, the price of living in the desert. Plus, almost anything that gets planted gets eaten immediately – from the top down by rabbits and from the roots up by gophers! It’s nice to be able to visit your neighbor’s wildflower garden with you.