I didn't know what to expect from the garden today. The period of time with greatly reduced watering has taken its toll on bloom overall. Although the well pump has been replaced, it's too soon to see much change in flowering yet.
However, one plant did get a little extra attention from the hose, even at the worst time. This was rose "William Shakespeare 2000", and the water went on because the foliage was showing signs of significant salt- or heat-stress, with that blackened, faintly iridescent look. In return for a few extra drinks, it has set buds and opened a couple of blooms.
So I have, quite unexpectedly in July, some roses for today's vase.
They are combined with another unanticipated flower: a simple bloom snipped from the hollyhock long after I had mentally consigned the dried-out, husky thing to the compost heap, just hadn't gotten out in the heat to cut it down! So, a hollyhock flower...
And as you can see, there is plenty of Catharanthus roseus in several different versions of pink.
The flowers, most of which are quite short-stemmed, were slipped into an appropriate vintage teacup. Oregano flowers top the little confection.
As I write this, a sudden cloudburst has recently ended, leaving the desert feeling refreshed and a new set of scents in the air. The rain and the now-functioning well should help the garden return to flowering again during this second part of summer.
Many thanks to Cathy for hosting this inspiring meme; do check her post here, along with the many other contributors!
Weather Diary: Partly cloudy with showers this evening; High: 106 F (41 C)/Low: 82 F (28 C); Humidity: 55%-67%
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Cathy (Tuesday, 11 July 2017 01:44)
The photos with the window in soft focus behind the cup are particuarly lovely, Amy. It is interesting to read how much difference a cloudburst makes to the garden. Does your well ever run dry, and do you have limitations on using domestic water in gardens? Circumstances have meant fewer blooms for you and smaller vases, but nevertheless this cup of blooms is just as enchanting as any larger and more abundant vase. Thanks for sharing
Kris P (Tuesday, 11 July 2017 12:41)
Perfection in a teacup, Amy! I'm glad your well problem was resolved.
Cathy (Tuesday, 11 July 2017 15:14)
Hi Amy. Glad the well is now working better and you can do a bit more watering. A cloudburst in the desert must be so exciting, not just for you but for all the wildlife too! Love your teacup of pretty flowers this week. :)
Amy@smallsunnygarden (Tuesday, 11 July 2017 17:30)
Cathy@Rambling in the Garden - I find it amazing that the garden responds so quickly to even small amounts of rainfall, but of course the pH is much better and there is no salt in it! As far as I know we have no usage restrictions. It's a curious situation as I believe the well itself taps into the last major commercially-unused aquifer in the region. So there is quite a bit of water, though wells in the area generally must go down about 600 ft to reach it. I try to be sane about water use, but honestly our only problem was some failing equipment, and we were trying to keep from burning the old pump out before the new came in... ;-) Thanks so much for your encouragement; it did seem like the early days of the garden: snipping one stem here and one there - all for a teacupful!
Amy@smallsunnygarden (Tuesday, 11 July 2017 17:33)
Thank you, Kris! :) Yes, I'm so glad the pump replacement was installed before we totaled the old one! I've had surprisingly few losses from it all, as most plants have been in the ground for over a year now - what a difference that makes!
Amy@smallsunnygarden (Tuesday, 11 July 2017 17:37)
Cathy@Words and Herbs - You are so right - I stood outside (under a roof!) as the rain was falling and watched the toads hopping out to greet it and begin their first songs. The birds have been quite lively today too. It's been fun to watch. :) Thanks very much!