It did well the first couple of years, but then two years ago we entered a season of drought that sent it into decline. Last summer it barely struggled along, producing only a few leaves and no flowers at all. I remembered a lesson I learned about gardening from my Italian grandfather who could work magic in a garden. He pruned everything back to within an inch of its life.
So....armed with my trusty pruning shears I attacked my poor Texas Sage. I took it down to just a foot or so of growth. In spite of the continued drought, it flourished this summer. It grew taller than me and was lush and full - but only a few little flowers here and there.
I mentioned the lack of flowers to my friend one day as we were walking. She said that a nurseryman once told her that they bloom just before a big rain. I digested this bit of information with a good measure of skepticism and kept a look-out for flowers.
On Tuesday afternoon, as I walked up to the porch I glanced in the direction of the Texas Sage and was astounded.


Wednesday morning we woke to this:

I'm a believer. In fact, I just looked up Texas Sage and found this bit of information: the common name of the Texas Sage is Barometer Bush! A testament to its accuracy - seven inches of rain, and it is pouring!
I never cease to be amazed at the wonder of God's creation. It is an unending source of JOY!!
"I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart;
I will tell of all Thy wonders.
I will be glad and exult in Thee;
I will sing praise to Thy name, O Most High."
Psalm 9:1-2
Blessings,
Linda
As a lover of plants, this really intrigued me! I'll be watching my own plants to see if they react similar to your sage. How refreshing that rain must be!
ReplyDeleteThis is so fantastic! What a sensitive flower!
ReplyDeleteI'm amazed, Linda!
Yes, it's a joy and soooo praiseworthy, you've really need the rain! What a way to announce it!
God bless!
~Maria
We have russian Sage. It has purple flowers too. We have been waiting for it to look lush like others around. Finally we learned that we need to prune it down (o: Yours is beautiful and was the rain.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely amazing! What a joyful blessing.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wondrous plant. Beautiful and amazing! Yes, God's creations never cease to amaze and bring joy.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you had some good rain.
Blessings indeed!
I love Texas Sage!!! Beautiful post.
ReplyDeleteThat is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI can't stop smiling....
ReplyDeleteOh my.
The reign of Jesus is coming....
We His people should be all in joy-bloom.
Us, barometers.
I send so much love, Linda....
All's grace,
Ann
Love the sage.
ReplyDeleteHey, did you see that I featured you at High Calling Blogs? You accidentally wrote a poem in my comment box... the rest is history. :)
http://highcallingblogs.com
Here it is... :)
ReplyDeleteLinda’s comment
Oh – I would be
lying there
right beside you.
I love the ocean
and everything
about it; like eternity,
a living being –
breathing in and out
in perfect rhythm.
That is so cool. And what a beautiful plant it is.
ReplyDelete