Rain is good—until it's too much

The biggest threat to our plants in the winter is usually the cold. This winter, the lowest nighttime temperature we've had was 30°F, as well as multiple nights right at 32°F. It's ironic, then, that something else has turned out to be the biggest problem—something we were begging Mother Nature for just a few years ago: rain.

In a region where the specter of drought is always a lurking presence, rain is a good thing. Until it isn't. In just the last few days, we've had flooding up and down California (Valentine's Day was the wettest day in Palm Springs in 76 years!), landslides, sinkholes, not to mention toppled trees and more minor incidents.

Nothing so dramatic happened in our little corner of the world. But considering we've had 12.5" of rain since December 1 (vs. 3.7" the year before),  I've become increasingly worried about rot from the excessive rainfall, especially after the 'Desert Love' incident. On Wednesday, I decided to grab what plastic sheeting I could find in the garage and drape it over some of the more vulnerable xeric plants in the front yard. I know it was more to make myself feel better than to effect any real rain protection for the plants, but sometimes that's all we can do.

The plastic did keep the rain off the covered plants but the soil underneath still got saturated.

Spikes poking through the plastic do make for a good photo:

The Mariachi dudes on the front porch didn't have a care in the world. After all, they were perfectly dry.

Quite a few potted plants are now crowded on the front porch, including the cacti above and the assorted bromeliads and yuccas below.

Chairs aren't for humans in the winter, they're to keep plants dry:

More plants huddled together near the front door. They're protected by the overhang above.

Another Aloe erinacea bites the dust. This one, mind you, was protected from the rain. I have no idea why it rotted. I've pretty much given up on this species.

Peeking out the front door—dry enough to venture outside and take some photos?

Not every plant dislikes the rain. There's plenty of beauty to be found.

Narcissus and spikes, an incongruous combo but that's exactly why I like it

Lachenalia aloides var. quadricolori finally getting ready to flower

Planted just last fall but already flowering like there's no tomorrow: Arctostaphylos 'Ian Bush'

Helleborus × ballardiae ‘HGC Pink Frost’, still alive after five years and prettier than ever

Grevillea 'Flora Mason'

Grevillea 'Flora Mason'

Grevillea 'Flora Mason'

Acacia baileyana 'Purpurea'

Abutilon 'Victor Reiter, surprising me with a handful of flowers. It's still a small plant, maybe 2 ft. tall now. I can't wait for it to get bigger so I can see the flowers better.

Lechenaultia formosa, a shrublet from Western Australia, has been flowering since the fall. Quite a contrast to the rotting ×Mangave 'Purple People Eater'!

The bromeliads I've left out all winter have surprised me with their hardiness. This is Vriesea fosteriana 'Red Chestnut'.

Neoregelia carcharodon 'Dragon'

How much longer will it continue to rain?

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