There used to be Pyracanthas against that wall. Winding branches. Dark green oval leaves. Orange berries. And pokey thorns that burned like fire. But they didn’t make it. Years ago, one withered and died. Soon after the other.
When we planted Coral Honeysuckle on a trellis against the wall, the curse remained. The vines struggled and put out only a blossom or two in a season. But the curse turned out not to be a curse after all but rather a simple matter of not enough water. The wall, you see, is under an overhanging eave.
It seems that water is somehow a vital ingredient in the life cycle of plants. Who knew!?
…which brings me to the bucket.
We have a little metal bucket that we use to water plants in the yard. It’s a fine bucket. Been around for a long time. But there’s a hole in the bottom, and when you fill it up, the water trickles out. As such, the bucket isn’t good for much — except the Coral Honeysuckle. Fill the bucket up. Set the bucket down. The water runs slowly out. Do it once; do it twice. Do it today; do it tomorrow. The water gently soaks the base of the honeysuckle. The honeysuckle is happier.
Tonight as I stepped over the Salvia to set down the holey bucket, a Dwarf Salamander slithered away from the base of the trellis and into the leaves under the Dwarf Yaupon Holly.
It seems that water is somehow a vital ingredient in the life cycle of amphibians. Who knew!?