The drought may not be over but this lovely respite for our gardens could not have come at a better time. Having lost so many plants over the summer, with many of my smaller trees and larger shrubs only just hanging in there, the six inches received in Killabakh was most welcome.

The creek dried up over six months ago, the dam was near the bottom and my watering tank was getting low. Like all of us, I was prioritising and rationing the watering of plants, unfortunately having to let some go.

My decision earlier last year to convert my cottage garden into a lower maintenance, water wise garden, filled with hardy drought resistant plants certainly paid off over the summer.

It didn't always look happy but almost all the plants have survived. I also placed eight large pots throughout this garden for a splash of potted colour but due to the extreme heat and little water these were left empty ... but now the heavens have opened - I'm off to the nursery!

Now is the time to take stock of what has survived the prolonged drought in your garden. Take note of the plants that have died, those that struggled and also those plants that were seemingly unaffected. Taking photos of the garden and select plants is another good record.

Also take note of the plants that bounce back with the rains. The first to respond is usually the lawn and I'm sure, like me, you were astounded at how quickly the region went from brown to green - almost overnight!

And almost as quickly how some gardeners reached for the lawnmower! I have acres of lawn and I doubt some sections will ever recover as they are down to dirt. These are mostly the high traffic areas and compaction is an issue. I may cultivate, reseed and cordon off ... but how do I tell the dogs?

The plants that I have lost include camellias, azaleas, magnolias and two lovely silverberry's (Elaeagnus 'Limelight'), not to mention dozens of potted specimens, but some of the plants that have survived really surprised me. My Stumpery Garden, sited in dappled shade and planted with a mix of bromeliads, birds nests and other ferns, begonias, etc. looks pretty good.

Other areas planted out with a similar pallet have not fared so well - one observation I did make was that the canopy of some shade giving trees and shrubs was reduced to less than half the normal over summer, offering little protection from the sun.

I solved this problem to a certain degree last year when I converted my old rose arbour entrance into a shade house adding dozens of extra slats. This now makes a colourful entrance to the house, with many foliage plants and begonias on display.

Whether you have six pots on a balcony or acres of rambling garden, enjoy the rain, love your garden and my very best wishes for 2020!

George Hoad