I stand before you, falsely accused.
Ina is the horticulturist on our team of gardeners. She is expert at selecting and nurturing native or drought-tolerant plants that can survive California’s waterless years. She has taught me a lot about planting for success in our clay-heavy, sun-baked garden.
One of her first soldiers – a large silver ragwort (jacobaea maritima) – was recently lost. You can see it here in its magnificence. She suspects I snuck it water and thus, contributed to its untimely demise.
When we were deluged with two storms in December, where was Ina? Maui. While all of January was dry, we were visited by a Pineapple Express this weekend – a warm, wet storm that blows in off the Pacific – an “atmospheric river.”
Before:
After:
Here, before you I present the photographic evidence which should exonerate me: proof positive that Ina’s garden sits in one of the lowest spots of the garden. Her beautifully appointed crushed granite pathways serve as perfect vessels, creating self-contained rivers that hold water for days. Yes…those are her rosemary, lavender, tulbaghia violacea (aka…smelly society garlic), artemesia, lamb’s ear, asters, lion’s tail, and tanacetum plants and grasses sitting in the flood zone.
What say you jurors…kind blogger peers? Regardless of the verdict, the rain is SO very welcome.
Before:
After:
The downside of a Pineapple Express is that creates rain in the Sierras instead of snow pack. We depend on the snow pack to refill our rivers and reservoirs later in the year. But, at this point, we are grateful for water in whatever form it arrives.
Before:
After:
It all made for soggy, dog-walking duty this weekend at the rescue – but who can argue with the rewards?
Gardens For Goldens 
I vote “innocent!”
Thank you! 🙂
I second that !
Innocent indeed
Definitely Innocent!!
Definitely!!
Innocent! I’m always glad when I hear you get some rain but that’s a lot of rain. The last two photos really made me smile and for that I say thank you to both pups. 🙂
Not so much rain compared to your mountains of snow! Keep shoveling! 🙂
Innocent! So happy to see that the rains have come and hopefully still for a while at least ~
Paws crossed, Mary. Although a little break is a welcome relief. 🙂
Could you imagine being in Boston/New England with another storm threat – some areas are over 74″.
That’s why I left the frozen tundra for the promise of the west. I just wish I still ship some of that snow pack along. 🙂
Innocent you are! Garden looks great even in the rain 🙂
Thank you!
The vigor in which thou proclaimeth thine innocence raiseth my suspicions. 😙
Selim! You doubt my honor?!? Ina will be proud of you. 🙂
I say “Innocent!” If you could see the results of rainstorms in my back yard, you would know why I’m exonerating you. 🙂
Thank you ma’am! Don’t float away. 🙂
We have 3 more days of sunshine in the forecast. 🙂
Oh goodness gracious – I just saw this! Really!! My computer had taken it upon itself to delete this whole story without my knowledge!! I must get busy installing proper drains before next winter cometh, either that or uninstall and reinstall all a foot or more higher. Pictures don’t lie, busted!!!
I will happily assist. 🙂
Innocent! We could use some of that rain over this way too!
Monty and Harlow
Thanks for your vote! We’ll include you in our rain prayers. 🙂