Friday, September 16, 2011

Foliage Follow-up: September 2011

As of today, we have experienced 85 days with a high temperature at or above 100 degrees.  The average yearly number of 100 degree days in Austin, Texas is 13.5 - I'm thinking this year will be pushing that average up quite a bit.  The previous yearly record for the most 100 degree days was 69 set in 1925 - that record has been absolutely shattered.  And to make matters worse, rainfall has been almost non-existent in my garden for most of the year.

Needless to say, participating in Digging's Foliage Follow-up is a bit of struggle.

 







Be sure to visit Digging to see what foliage can be found in other's gardens.  Hope theirs is faring better than mine!

7 comments:

  1. bookwormSeptember 16, 2011 at 8:40 PM

    I am so sorry. I've tried so very hard to send rain your way. A co-worker's daughter just moved to Austin, and we have more than enough rain in upstate NY. But I was not successful. I hope next year will be better for you.

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  2. Pam/DiggingSeptember 17, 2011 at 12:06 AM

    Your foliage is telling the tale of a summer too hot and dry to be believed. My cast-irons are all burnt-bleached too -- so sad. I know your dyckias must be happy though. Where are they?

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  3. Rock rose September 17, 2011 at 7:06 AM

    I hope there is enough life left in your plants so that they will recover from this terrible summer. It was really a shock to see your garden looking so crisp. Even your shade wasn't enough to help them out.

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  4. RBellSeptember 17, 2011 at 9:08 AM

    Bookworm: Seems like the NE has certainly been getting more water than they can handle! Lately, US weather seems to only occur in the extremes.

    Pam: The Dyckias got battered by our crazy cold winter. Of the five in-ground varieties I had, 2 are gone, Bronze Dykia is barely alive, Moonglow is recovering and only Cherry Coke is doing great.

    Lancashire: As many of the trees have been stressed and reducing the leaves in their canopy, a bit more sun than usual has been reaching the ground. And in this weather, that ain't a good thing.

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  5. Linda/patchworkSeptember 17, 2011 at 10:42 AM

    This is what I call Truth in Gardening.
    There is plenty crispy brown going on here, too.
    I know what you mean about more sun than usual reaching the ground. Some shade garden, right?
    Hope we get back to normal and this isn't it.
    Stay safe...

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  6. RBellSeptember 19, 2011 at 7:51 PM

    Linda: Yep, may have to change my blog from Lazy Shady to Lazy Falling Leaves...

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  7. CatSeptember 28, 2011 at 7:27 PM

    Dang this has been the summer of doom. My garden isn't looking any better. I'm trying to keep a positive attitude and think of creative ways I can augment the garden with more drought tolerant solutions (art, plants, hardscapes) - whatever it takes. My spider lily bloomed last week too but it was much more short lived than usual. Hope you got some rain last night - there was only a few minutes here, not enough to even break through the soil.

    Gosh, sorry to sound like such a debbie downer...this too shall pass.

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