RE: drought moaning

For those of you bemoaning drought, let me assure you that TOO MUCH rain can
have just as devastating effects.  When we have more rain than normal (which
is no small amount, in Oregon) plants literally rot before your eyes.  We
lose more to rot than cold, ever.  Neither is a good thing.

Susan Saxton, zone 6b

For mine is a little old-fashioned garden where the flowers come
together to praise the Lord and teach all who look upon them to do
likewise.
Celia Thaxter

I AM in shape.  ROUND is a shape!


> -----Original Message-----
> From: Marge Talt [m*@clark.net]
> Sent: Thursday, August 12, 1999 8:29 PM
> To: perennials@mallorn.com
> Subject: Re: drought moaning was: Kirengashoma and 
> Turtleheads blooming
> early
> 
> 
> 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
> Editor:  Gardening in Shade
> current article:Vines - Part 1
> http://suite101.com/welcome.cfm/222
> All garden topics welcome page:
> http://www.suite101.com/welcome.cfm/3425#top5
> 
> ----------
> > 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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