Rejuvenation

Amazing how quickly some plants have bounced back as a result of our recent rains. I have always had good luck with Japanese painted ferns; so much so that I use them in some areas in the garden to edge borders and almost as ground covers. But this year most of them faded or even disappeared from the heat. Even my watering did not help them. I was going to pull out the worst offenders but suddenly they're back, standing tall and looking good. So they get a reprieve for now.

One noticeable quirk: My painted ferns fall into two groups, one more gray and the other more greenish. All the new growth is the palest, ghostliest green I've ever seen. Maybe that's what always happens when they rejuvenate themselves like this. It's not something that happens often enough that I've ever noticed this color change before. 

The day lilies that were looking beat are sending up new growth as are the Astilbes that literally got fried from the weather. I have a number of the same Astilbe plant interspered in a short curved border and three really did not do well while one held its own for most of the summer. Difference in soil, slight variation in amount of sun or sprinkler water — who knows what causes the variation in their ability to withstand the weather. Definitely not something I've figured out yet.

If we get a little more rain, my garden will look almost normal when a group of Seattle gardeners come for a visit later this month. Keeping my fingers crossed. 

Comments

[claire]

I have been fascinated by the drought's effect on individual plants in my garden. The bed of pulmonaria, in a half day of hot, bright sun, was better than ever this year (it was a disaster last year). One of six miniature astilbes went crispy - the others were fine. Irish moss barely needed water?? Flax continued to bloom. Each nasturtium plant struggled with three sickly leaves.

[Lisa at Greenbow]

We have had a touch of rain lately. My garden has not rejuvinated quite yet. I am not surprised that the 'ghost' painted fern is the one that survived. I can't even get the regular purplish one to grow in my garden. I depend on 'ghost'. I hope this cooler weather and more rain on the way makes your garden lovely for the tourists.

[Altoon]

I'm so glad to hear that your recent welcome rains have revived the garden. I hope rainfall continues normally for you now.

[william]

What a beautiful fern, so delicate looking. I have always loved ferns though.