Falling Floods

"Falling floods cascade to carpet the already wet ..."



A poem I wrote decades ago seems in order in the City of San Luis Obispo which has now received over 30 inches of rain since July 1, 2009.

The hills are all a stunning green, and most everything is growing at a stupendous rate, or to great heights (weeds and annuals). However, some plants may not be faring so well. If you planted unwisely or too optimistically with regard to drainage, your plants may have suffered.

Salvias (sages) may have suffered. As Bornstein, Fross and O'Brien say in California Native Plants for the Garden, "Our native sages, without exception, are plants of dry places." My one year old Salvia Pozo Blue is reputed by Las Pilitas Nursery, to survive 7-35" of rain. However, it did not in my garden. Even the Celestial Blue, which was 2-3 years established looks in shock, though it may recover.



Eriogonum giganteum are reported to be adaptable but prefer well-drained soil. A somewhat established one planted in sand and behind a retaining wall near a drop of three feet, bringing gravity to bear, fared well. A new one planted four months ago in clay where there is not much of a slope died quickly.

Another buckwheat, Eriogonum crocatum, about which sources disagree on how adaptable it is, was planted in both sand and clay. One was planted in sand, three in clay. Only the one planted in clay closest to the water valve on the rain barrel died. The others are delightfully coming into their lime green flowers (top photo).