Kia hora te manno
Kia whakapapa paumamu te moana
Kia tere te Karohirohi

May the calm be widespread
May the sea glisten like the greenstone
And may the glimmer of summer dance across your pathways

Wednesday, June 09, 2010

THIS IS NOT LIQUID SUNSHINE

Here on Whidbey Island, in the Pacific Northwest, we have had an unusually wet Spring. Today it is raining again, and it seems to me, that Mother Nature is disregarding the fact, that the first day of summer is just twelve days away.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the rain as the garden is loving all the moisture, and I don't have to use my irrigation system, but on the other hand, the weeds are taking over. Oh well! we have to live with what Mother Nature throws at us.

Nestled in a pot of hostas and ferns, the resin Tui I brought back from New Zealand is getting a bath.

Crocosmia bowing under the weight of the raindrops.

Mercury like droplets of water, clinging to the Nasturtiums.

If we get much more rain, the stepping stones and pavers will be submerged, and I will be looking for my gumboots.

I do love the fact that I don't have to spend time watering all the outdoor potted plants. This pot is sitting underneath a pine tree, and at this time of year the tree is releasing lots of pollen, which coats everything in the surrounding area. The pansies have now been washed clean of pollen, and are showing their true colors.

One nice thing about getting a good rain shower, are the beautiful diamond like raindrops clinging to the flowers, and when the sun does begin to shine, the flowers sparkle like the jewels in a store front window.

Not many flowers blooming here yet, but that will change withing the next week or two, if we get some sunshine in between the showers. The forecast shows sun for this weekend, but I will not be home to see it. I will be at Bank's Lake on a camping trip with the Fishin' Club we belong to.


"Raindrops on roses, foxgloves are bowing........."

Little chubby Buddha, soaking wet and still smiling.

The ferns have never looked better. They have been growing in this part of the garden for just two years, and this year is the first time they have grown taller than the fence, which incidentally is surrounding the garden to keep the rabbits out.

9 comments:

cassie-b said...

Great pictures - Thanks. Why is we can't get just the right amount of rain and sunshine?

D said...

Jennifer, we like rain too, but enough is enough. Supposedly 61 today in the Willamette Valley and forecast of 80 for Saturday! The plants will go from waterlogged to shock. Have a wonderful weekend.

Becca's Dirt said...

Your beds look like they are doing very well and the rain drops make them sparkle. We are having extreme heat here. Way to hot to do about anything outdoors. My gardens are needing ME right now but not till I can get out there in the early AM which work doesn't permit till the busy weekend. Anyhow have yourself a good day. Wish I were going fishing with ya. Becca

Bangchik and Kakdah said...

Interesting pictures. Everything seems to be very healthy. With all the trouble rain may bring, water remains as an important source of life..huh, we have missing good rains for days here... ~bangchik

Carrie said...

Oh rain can be so annoying but we need it for all the greenery. And it leads to amazing photos like you just posted - so, ho hummmm. At the mintue we're having the best of both worlds - sunny-ish (for Ireland) and raining at night.

Ellie Mae's Cottage said...

Last spring and summer we had really wet season in New England. In 2009 it rained practically every day (all day long) from May - Sept! It was awful... talk about too much of a good thing. People lost so many plants to blight, mildew, and fungus. This year we've had drier than usual weather (except for today it's been raining). Here's hoping you get some sun soon! :)

Catherine@AGardenerinProgress said...

It is nice not to have to water, but some of my plants are starting to look really bad. And the weeds just multiply overnight. Your garden does look very lush and pretty!
Have fun fishing!

Anonymous said...

Hi Jennifer~~ You're so right. The plants just love all this rain. Me, I've been tested to the hilt. I like rain but it's getting more difficult to keep my composure. Worse, I'm afraid what is a wet, mild spring will morph into a record-breaking heat wave. Lord, I hope I'm wrong!

Carolyn ♥ said...

Love love love Whidbey Island! My daughter and her family live there. I bought plants from the Chocolate Farm there.