Rain and hollyhock

Taken this summer. It is fitting it is raining this weekend.

It is such a mysterious place, the land of tears.

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, "The Little Prince"

after a light summer rain

While I don't love how my car looks after a light rain, it does wonders for my garden.

I love how the hollyhocks pick up the light on a cloudy day. Yes, I know it's due to the UV rays which cause the pigments to flouresce but who cares about the technical reasons. Family Malvaceae, Genus Alcea

I did not have the heart to pull this weed out. I don't know what it except it is likely a Mallow in the family Malvaceae.

Likewise, the squash flowers luminesce as well. To be honest, these were volunteers. I understand that this is risky as seeds do not run true. I believe these are likely to be Japanese squash, kabocha.

So unusual to get rain in the summer in southern California.

Pretty in pink

I'm not sure why rain drizzle makes these hollyhocks even more photogenic. Taken early in the day, the drizzle might even be mistaken for a heavy dose of morning dew.

Pretty in pink

White hollyhock

Another legacy plant from the previous gardener, these white hollyhocks probably were a key element of her moon garden. In the past, I had many more of these, and on full moon nights, these hollyhocks stood tall, luminously glowing in the dark. I could spot my garden from afar.
Family: Malvaceae, Alcea sp.