The drought continues. In fact, yesterday morning we woke to not a single drop of water in our taps! So far the rain forecast either comes to nothing or it might yield 5mm – that does little more than settle the dust for a little while. This is the second summer in a row that I have not been able to grow vegetables or much in the way of flowers. Yet, there continues to be some colour and things of interest in our garden. The ever faithful frangipani (also known as Plumeria) is blooming beautifully and exudes the most delightful scent once the sun sets and the garden settles down for the night.
No matter how hot and dry it gets, we can always rely on the Plumbago to provide colour – and such pleasing colour too.
The hibiscus shrubs were already mature when we moved here three decades ago. Their long-lasting blooms too never disappoint.
I am very pleased that the variety of petunias I planted in containers in December continue to provide happy splashes of colour.
Then there are insects, such as this bee foraging on the tiny flowers of a tall weed.
I come across a spider-hunting wasp (Pompilidae) outside the kitchen door.
It is under the lip of an outside windowsill that I see a potential danger lurking in the form of two South African Paper Wasps in the throes of building their intricate nest.
End note: The water supply is trickling back in our pipes.
I’m glad there is some beauty still in your garden despite the lack of rain, Anne. How hard that must be… wishing a good soaking comes your way soon.
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Thank you, Eliza. I am grateful for every bit of colour that shows in our garden 🙂
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What a delightful glimpse of your garden. So much beauty despite the prolonged drought. Excellent shot of the paper wasp.
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I am going to keep an eye on that wasp nest to see how large it gets 🙂
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I’m glad your water came back. Such a lovely post, with so many beautiful things despite the drought.
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The joy of having water back surged through me – we cannot take it for granted here. At least not until the empty storage dams supplying our town get an opportunity to fill.Thank you for visiting my garden 🙂
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I am am,amazed that you can have that colour in the middle of a drought.
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I am too actually, so I count myself fortunate to have any at all 🙂
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Skillful gardening. 🙂
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Astounding to think that your part of the country is still so firmly in the grips of the drought when other parts are experiencing floods and the Augrabies falls are a cascading spectacle of water. I think we’re all praying that the Eastern Cape will get its fair share before the rainy season passes. Still, the resilient beauty in your garden is a joy to behold, Anne.
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It is unfortunate that the Eastern Cape keeps missing out on the rain – and has for so long! Nonetheless I appreciate every bit of colour that survives these harsh conditions.
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When I read the first two sentences of your piece, I actually gasped out loud. No water coming from your pipes! Sounds utterly terrible. Glad some was available later in the day. Hope you get rain soon!
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We have been hoping that for about six years already. Somehow our part of the country has lost out on the deluge of rain that has fallen elsewhere. It is a situation that makes one appreciate water a whole lot more than when one doesn’t have to think about it 🙂
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Oh, gosh! How terrible.
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Your Frangipani looks glorious, Anne and I imagine the fragrance is possibly even more pronounced due to the stressful situation under which it is growing?
I, too, fervently hope that you will receive some good rainfall before the season ends. It must be so dispiriting watching promising clouds gather, only to see them disappear, for six years!!
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The fragrance of the Frangipani is particularly strong at the end of very hot days. I have not thought why. Today is cooler than most so I must see what happens this evening 🙂
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You have found colour and interest despite the drought, which I hope ends soon
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Thank you. We still have about a month in hand during which we can still hope for rain.
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`I hope for you too
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I loved this peek into your garden, Anne 🙂
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Thank you, Shail!
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That pink petunia is a lovely thing to behold in the middle of winter!
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These flowers do not seem to mind the heat at all.
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