and my roses (which have always grown so well here, even in the heat) are a shadow of their former selves.
Summer is always a TOUGH time to grow things, but this year it's the worst it's ever been. The ten minutes of watering, twice a week, just isn't cutting it.
Which is why this randomly planted bougainvillea BLOOMING is like a drought miracle?
How nice to have a bit of color in your dried out back yard. I had a bouginvillia in my front porch in CA and it always performed for me no matter the drought conditions.
ReplyDeleteThe weird part is it's never done much of anything. Not that it's doing much now either, but the fact that everything is dead and this is giving more color than it has ever before, is definitely a surprise.
DeleteThe plant is from the climate very like your own. That's why it's not so stressed as the roses and other plantings from further north.
ReplyDeleteYou know this type of change is a golden time for landscapers and landscape designers. People get sick real quick of looking at soil.
I would definitely say I'm sick AND tired of looking at the dry, dead soil in this back yard. It's been a back and forth in my mind to get going on it or wait until I solve my brick wall problem. Replanting would be far easier and less expensive. I'm just afraid that I'd do it and then have to redo it when/if the wall is replaced.
DeleteNot last year, but two years before that when I was visiting in Hawaii, they were going through the their own mini drought (still more water than we see when we're not in a drought, but a drought for them). Kona is covered in bougainvillea, and it was all very sad looking that year because of less rainfall. I'd just assumed that it needed the water and the humidity. It's surprising to hear that it likes this climate. I wonder if the stuff in Hawaii had just acclimated to the wet and its change shocked its system?
Kona is sitting on a bloody great rock. Yes, it has water, but if, like you describe, it lessens for any reason the water-table will fall quicker than the roots can grow to get at it.
DeleteSince I don't really know where you are in LA beyond a general impression of north of the centre, and on a hill, I can't really say why hat plant is that much better. But I'd be a bit worried, it could be getting into a waste water pipe if it's near the house or the link to the sewer. Equally though, since you've had such a long this year, and prolonged multi-year drought, the plant has gone well below and found a source underground. Remember, the local water table isn't used at all. And if your tract was developed after the links north and east there would be nothing piercing the water table but for the wells of the old ranch. As I say though, this is pure surmise.
Oh dear!!!!
DeletePet, this was in no way meant to scare you. It's simply a thing to be aware.
Delete:)
DeleteThe possibility would fit right in with the problem I'm having with the wall and the big tree's roots. It's just another, "well, that's just great." moment. Let's just say it wouldn't be a surprise at this point as this yard has been the bane of my existence since moving in.
The bougainvillea is gorgeous! I've never grown it, but I've seen a lot of it in Mexico, so I know it loves the heat. Maybe I should try planting it. :)
ReplyDeleteI bet you've had to deal with lots of dust in your house from Rigby going in and out! We've had a VERY dry last couple months (our pond is the lowest I've ever seen it) and I'm not sure if the dust from the dogs or the mud from rainy weather is worse. At least muddy paws can be wiped off.
Yes, I'm not sure which is worse - the muddy feet are definitely a pain! And when it rains, she likes to go out in it so she's a MESS when it rains or when the sprinklers are used with regularity. At least with the dust it's mostly outside. It's too hot to open the windows, so it's not coming in from there. When I take her out to play ball though, she'll take off at lightning speed leaving a cloud of dust blowback in my vicinity. :)
DeleteThe bougainvillea is pretty. I like all the colors it comes in too.