Re: drought moaning was: Kirengashoma and Turtleheads blooming early
- To:
- Subject: Re: drought moaning was: Kirengashoma and Turtleheads blooming early
- From: M* T*
- Date: Thu, 12 Aug 1999 23:28:53 -0400
Holly, Ginny, I'm with both of you. Spent this evening, from the minute I
got out of the office until it was too dark to see, going from one disaster
area to another with hand held hose (all we are allowed to use) in a rather
desperate attempt to keep my woody plants going. Perennials right up next
to the house are in semi-decent shape (those the deer haven't eaten), but
the outlying borders are pathetic. Where, this spring, large areas of
ground were covered by Pulmonaria 'Mrs. Moon', there are bare patches with
only rusty brown and black clumps of yuck; swathes of Brunnera flat on the
ground as are the ground covering gingers...all plants that tolerate dry
conditions, but, I find, not drought conditions...suppose, if they don't
return, I can look on it as an opportunity to improve the borders...but
it's an opportunity I really would rather not have. Figure it's perennials
on their own...try to save the azaleas, rhodies, viburnums, hydrangeas,
young dogwoods and recently planted things...mature trees are on their own
and will suck up what little water there is, I think.
Bitch, moan, kvetch, whimper, whine, etc. We've had dry years, but this
one takes the cake. Hang in there and concentrate on the woodies...this,
too, shall pass. I think, however, that I have learned my lesson. I swear
on a stack of bibles that I will never again complain when we get too much
rain!
Marge Talt, zone 7 Maryland
mtalt@clark.net
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> From: Mert & Holly Kilpatrick <kilpatrk@epix.net>
> Date: Thursday, August 12, 1999 8:27 PM
>
> Ginny,
> I am feeling just like you are. It is so depressing even to go out to
put
> the hose on things in the evening. I can't bear to look at things as I
go
> by them. I have so many trees and shrubs that have been in one-two years
-
> Stewartia, Styrax, viburnums, an Aesculus woerlitzensis, lots of
> conifers...I can't begin to keep up with the watering needs, and I just
want
> it all to be over with so I can see what's left and start over. But the
> Buddleias keep on, and I have a Heideschnee rose that is blooming like
> crazy. Nepetas and euphorbias hang in there. And as you say, no mowing!
> The only thing growing in our lawn is Queen Anne's Lace.
>
> Holly - PA, zone 6
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Ginny <vhw95@fast.net>
> To: perennials@mallorn.com <perennials@mallorn.com>
> Date: Thursday, August 12, 1999 1:13 PM
> Subject: Re: Kirengashoma and Turtleheads blooming early
>
>
> >Gee, are you guys lucky. My Kirengeshoma and chelone turned brown and
> >crunchy long ago along with oh so many others. My well is old and hand
dug
> >and only 26 feet deep. I don't dare water anything. Even though I do
save
> >water from showers, dishwashing, etc. it just isn't nearly enough for
all
> >the plants I have (or used to). I have lost an incredible number of
> >collector plants as well as some old standbys, but there isn't much I
can
> >do. Even old established shrubs are biting the dust. Just find this so
> >depressing. My gardens have never looked so bad. Heard last night that
> >there is a good chance of rain in the 5-day. Boy, oh boy, do I hope the
> >weatherman is right!
> >
> >I keep wondering if the trees will drop their leaves, as some are doing
> now,
> >and come back next year, or if they will need replacing. My seed
starting
> >efforts will have to quadruple next year to replace just some of what
has
> >been lost. Oh well, it's a good time to rethink my gardens and plan a
> >little differently for the future. More water-wise gardening and taking
> >tips from Lauren Springer and her hell strip plantings. At least we
haven'
> t
> >had to spend time mowing. Guess it's been about two months since we
fired
> >up the old mower.
> >
> >Keep praying for rain -- the dances haven't helped.
> >
> >Ginny (zone 6 in PA)
> >
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