What to grow in a flood
‘Colorado’ water lily
Well, it’s flooding down in Texas, as you might have noticed if you live here, or seen on the news if you don’t. After an epic, 5-year drought — which isn’t completely broken but is significantly eased — central Texas has been inundated with rain this spring, culminating over Memorial Day weekend in a disastrous flash flood in nearby Wimberley and flooded-out streets and businesses near downtown Austin. Tornado warnings throughout the weekend had us on edge as we readied interior closets and bathrooms as makeshift shelters.
Thankfully, our home and those of friends and family are unharmed. My garden is soggy and mosquito infested, but the only damage it sustained was a washed-out gravel path that I repaired this morning. My rain gauge has measured a whopping 13 inches of rain since the beginning of May. That’s 40% of our yearly average in one month. And after several years of alarmingly low levels, Lake Travis, which supplies Austin’s water, is refilling.
Drought and flood is the natural cycle of our region, and you can be sure that drought will come again. But for now we’re enjoying a reprieve, although it came at a high cost for those along the Blanco River. My heart goes out to them.
‘Best of Friends’ daylily
Today the sun is out, flowers are blooming, and I’m thankful not only for rain but for my best friend of 25 years on our silver anniversary. I hope you, dear reader, are safe and sound, enjoying a little sunshine, and feeling thankful for rain or getting some if you need it.
All material © 2006-2015 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
Your lilies are lovely. Best wishes for a wonderful celebration today on your special occasion.
I’m glad you and your family and friends are safe…and the garden! And congratulations for your silver anniversary!! :).
Congratulations on your silver anniversary. You said it with pretty water and day lilies.
I was wondering how you were doing with the weather down there. I’m gladd you are safe and sound.
It was great to see the sun today! Have a wonderful Anniversary!
Now I know where all our rain went. Yes, I have seen the devastation in your part of the country. Sad that it has to be this way. I am happy to hear that you and yours are faring well. I hope you have something fun planned to celebrate 25years together. Congrats.
Fantastic water lily pictures. Makes me want to break out my paints!
Happy Anniversary! It only gets better.
Your lilies are gorgeous & congratulations on your anniversary!
Happy anniversary, Pam! I’m glad you and yours are safe.
Congrats on 25 years…that’s alot of agaves and animal crackers! Thanks for the reminder of rain abundance vs. destruction…it may be easier to live where it’s either dry or drier, like here.
Congratulations, I love the pictures on FB! The rain has been a trial and a reprieve! Your garden seems to be weathering the storm very well. Beautiful photographs!
Happy Anniversary!!!!
You seem to be like we were in 2008. The flooding was bad, mostly Cedar Rapids, IA and surrounding communities. Everything has a way of coming back in most instances. Happy Anniversary! Thank the Lord, Life will go on!
Happy Anniversary! Here’s a wish that your next 25 years together are even more joyful and rewarding than the first.
I was born here during a drought, came back to attend a high school reunion during horrific flooding, and moved back here only to see more of both. You said it – this IS the way it is here in central Texas, cycles of too little followed by way too much. Deepest sympathies to so many who lost loved ones, homes, and businesses to the flood waters. My garden will survive but local farmers have crops that sat under water in their fields. Maybe we need to change the slogan to “Don’t Mess with Texans!”.