September Rains Flowers!

This month in Bell County we got substantial drought relief from several rain events. Near Salado, over 14 inches of rain fell, and much of it fell in under 24 hours. This total for southern Bell County exceeded the yearly rainfall for 2009 prior to September! Even so, in the Temple/Belton area we went from D4 to D2 (exceptional drought to severe drought). The rainfall wasn't a drought-buster, but it certainly was a reversal of fortune! Statewide, nearly 80% of the exceptional drought area was eliminated in one week in mid-September.

The flooding in Salado was two weeks ago, and it was miserable sitting at home on a rainy weekend. It was even more miserable for the flood victims. But thank heavens for the rain! The last two weekends have been sunny, and this weekend I finally got the grass mowed, did some weeding, cursed the heat, humidity, and mosquitoes, but most of all . . . I appreciated the flowers.

My yard literally came back to life in response to the rains. It's been a stunning recovery. Some plants are blooming in the wrong season, because they couldn't bloom during the drought (and I wasn't watering to make up for the lack of rain). Between last summer and this summer, I've lost very few plants. I'll mourn the Japanese maple, but it was struggling, anyway. I'll miss the Selaginella, but maybe I can find another. Today I'm enjoying the survivors . . . and they are incredible!!!

Barbados cherry (fragrant!)

Barbados cherry close-up

Leadwort (blue plumbago)

Shrimp plant

Heart-leaf hibiscus

Snapdragon vine

Chili pequin

Crepe myrtle 'Special Red'

Salvia darcyi

Mexican oregano

Trailing white lantana

'New Gold' lantana

Salvia farinacea, blue and white forms

Tropical sage, white form

Wild oxalis

Red yucca

Crepe myrtle blossoms with cedar elm leaves and seeds

Leopard spiderwort

Moss on a stepping stone

Salvia guaranitica 'Black and Blue'

Tropical sage, pink form