A Water Lover

July 29, 2011 at 8:44 am (Gardening)

“A Water Lover”, a copyrighted post, was written for my WordPress blog called Always Growing by Jan in Covington, Louisiana

Be very careful what you wish for. We still are getting rain, way too much rain in too short a time. We have been suffering from a very severe drought, so you would think this rain is welcomed. Well, a large part of it was, but now too much. Several trees in the neighborhood have fallen over because of over saturated soils. Makes me a little nervous to see that happen. Fortunately, none have hit any homes.

So, we have had some rain every day since St. Swithen’s Day (July 15), and I am really starting to get worried about that forty day thing.

While the rain was needed for the garden and all the plants have perked up and started growing, one in particular has really enjoyed this rain. The hibiscus coccineus or Texas Star is loving the extra moisture and showing it with its gorgeous red flowers that have been popping out nonstop since the rain starte. Another common name for this plant is swamp hibiscus which shows its love of wet areas.

 

 

Because of the drought, there is not many plants blooming here (but buds are forming so there should be some flowers soon) which makes this large red flower stand out even more. This is a perennial hibiscus that returns each spring.

I always let a few flowers go to seed. I use these new plants to add to the already growing Texas Star area to make a bigger clump of them or to start a new section of these bushes in other garden spots.

With all the rain we have been having it is a good thing this plant likes water.

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