The hot dry spell continues. Following a dry winter, this spring has been notable not only for an absence of rain, but for continuing high temperatures. The mercury is forecast to nudge thirty four centigrade on Wednesday, it's not even June yet, both March and April temperature anomalies were plus three or four degrees across southern France. May continues in the same vein.
Sempervivum and Sedum doesn't mind though. I honestly think I could get addicted to collecting these plants, there are just so many varieties, literally hundreds and every colour imaginable, oh and they require zero maintenance.
Wish I could say the same for the rest of the garden. I'm resigned to a daily slog of lugging watering cans all over the place. I count myself lucky that there's a natural water source here that constantly replenishes a small well, allowing me to dunk a can in and fill it in seconds before dutifully ferrying it about here and there and in record time; a proper workout.
I wish it would rain!
It does rain - here!
ReplyDeleteWe have a planted a lot of succulents in our garden, because of our drought last year.
ReplyDeleteThis year however, it seems that we are receiving everyone else's rain!
I agree with your thoughts on sedums, thank goodness. They are top of my list this month for some empty planters.
ReplyDeleteRob,
ReplyDeleteBoth amazing planters. The first one everything seems natural to be together in that planter.
I've been reading about the drought in the French news. I read that 26 departments are under water restrictions with more to come.
ReplyDeleteWe've been lucky here, but the 90's arrived today with temps to be 95 for the next three days. Here we go again....
Stay cool!
The planters look great! And for sure, they'll survive your drought.
ReplyDeleteoops!! this is not good. Hold on and call the rain, we are doing same here, no rain at autumn time yet.
ReplyDeleteOur summer time is very long and super hot and never rains for about 4 or 5 months and the gardens get used to it accommodating very well. And a good watering system, of course.
Hope your garden do well!!
hugs
I wish you some of ours. I say we're having Seattle weather.
ReplyDeleteOhh! These photos are so lovely!
ReplyDeleteNicw to meet you!
Have a nica week!
Monica
Rob, I hope that you get some decent rain soon - no fun lugging watering cans about every day in the heat. The plants seem to prefer rain too. Here in north west England April's heat/ lack of rain has given way to a cool, wet and windy May. However the south east is desperate for rain and the situation there is being compared to 1976. I remember that summer well but I do not think that it was a particularly dry spring that year. Will have to research.
ReplyDeleteIn summer I like keeping a water basin for dunking watering cans in as well -- much faster than standing by a hose spigot to fill up cans. Nice to find plants like the house leeks that can pretty much take whatever the weather brings -- or doesn't bring.
ReplyDeleteOh dear, the US must be getting all of your rain. Floods all over the place. It was interesting to drive by the Spokane river last week and see full-grown trees covered up to the middle with the swollen, flooded river. I'm glad I don't live on the riverbank, as we'd be underwater now.
ReplyDeleteThose succulents are really beautiful. I feel your pain; we had a very hot dry spring last year. I hope you get some rain soon.
ReplyDeleteI've got a whole pile of echeveria cuttings sitting on my patio table I'm hoping to get planted this weekend. Thank goodness succulents are so forgiving! Wish I could say the same for the sad clematis in a pot that's been waiting over a month for me to find a spot.
ReplyDeleteI just love the photo of the succulents. Here in Texas we just have been pulled out of our drought. Hope your drought is relieved soon!
ReplyDeleteI saw quite a few succulents where I buy some of my flowers, and was thinking of buying some more. We are behind on rain too, well over a month, but today we are suppose to get some from that weather system that has caused all of those tornadoes in the mid-west. Just hope we don't get any bad weather, but I'll take the rain.
ReplyDeleteAt least you have a water source even if it does mean lugging water cans around. Hope you guys get some rain soon!
Rob, this is distantly apropos to your post since it does involve too much water. I assume you saw this report on the Oudolf hedges:
ReplyDeletehttp://noels-garden.blogspot.com/2011/05/breaking-news-oudolf-rips-out-hedge.html
?
This site is an absolute delight...I am coming to Aquitaine in September with the idea of buying a property...a little scary as I will be on my own, but I am passionate about gardening and your pictures and comments fill me with absolute joy....tytyty
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! We grow alot of succulents here in California. They are so fun and easy.
ReplyDeleteciao!!
Blog hopping & came across your blog & wanted to let you know i host a garden party called Cottage Flora Thursday's - i would love to have you link up sometime! So fun to meet new gardeners! xoox, tracie
ReplyDeleteI wish we had a water source - mains is just so expensive!!! Diane
ReplyDeleteHi Rob,
ReplyDeleteJust found your blog, and after foaming at the mouth for a few hours, I quickly became a follower. Beautiful photos and interesting posts.
I look forward to more!
Michael
Rob, we occasionly pop into your blog and have travelled with great memories in the Dordogne.
ReplyDeleteYou might like to say hello at
http://melbourneourhome.blogspot.com/2011/05/arriving-at-le-bugue-for-week.html
We stayed in Le Bugue for a week and are reliving some of those great memories on our blog.
Sad to hear that your beautiful green country side is in drought. Its one of the things that we are familiar with in Australia, along with floods and fire.
Leon and Sue.
Dry across the pond in central U.S., too, until last week when we had 3.5 inches of rain. Here, have some! :)
ReplyDeleteDear Rob, You have such a knack for making everything look grand. Lovely planters! I do hope you get rain soon! You need a system for carrying the watering cans about . . . something on wheels preferably. Good Luck! Take care of your back! ;>)
ReplyDeleteWe had an unusually hot dry April here followed by a cold, windy, dry May ...but the Bank Holiday weekend made up for it with the deluge that came down!
ReplyDeleteI do love sedums and yours are looking great!
Cheers
How sad Rob, but your succulents look awesome! Wish we could share ... we have had more than our share of spring rains. May June welcome you kindly :)
ReplyDeleteI have grown succulents in my handmade troughs for years. They ask for little and give a lot! Love your blog
ReplyDeleteHi Rob, I invited a--hope to be client---by your blog today. She has a French country home here in NC and ask me to spruce up her already gorgeous landscaping. I told her I was coming to you as inspiration for design and plant material. These sedums and succulents are one of the things I had in mind.
ReplyDeleteHope you are well today and so much hoping to come see you one day.