When we had sooooo much rain here in Austin, I left a group of Bromeliads on the ground behind a tree . I had planned to repot them, but I noticed they liked the rain (not so much the hail) and didn't mind being on the ground. I rearranged them a bit, but haven't bothered with them other than that. We are now in the 90°s and the rains are gone, so I may have to change plans.

This photo was taken in mid-May before I decided to leave them there for the summer. I'll take another today to show they really are doing well and blooming.

They look great where they are, Sandi. As long as they are in the shade, particularly if under a canopy of tree-leaves, and supplying some water, they should do fine. The problem comes when fall/winter temperatures get down into the lower 30's and below. Perhaps y'all don't get freezing temperatures in Austin.

Thanks, they are in mostly shade, under an oak. We do have freezes, but infrequently. I still take them into the hoop houses when December rolls around. I usually keep pots of ferns in that bed. I had to do some rearranging to keep the ferns in "fern alley!" I spent most of today playing outside. Was great to have time to just "play." Photos to follow.

Tomorrow - power washing! I widened the walkway, but ran out of limestone pieces I could use. Have to buy a few to finish.

You have a tropical paradise, Sandi. Good job!

Looks great!

Thank you Ken and Carol! Wish I could also show my clean, power washed limestone patio and pathways, but I can't. Instead, after five years of drought, we drove out to see Lake Travis ( our area water source) nearly filled. It was an amazing and welcomed sight!

Lucky you! I was just reading in the paper how close ours are to being dry. Of course if we were to get that much rain in a short time, we'd wash into the Pacific.

We are still under watering restrictions here. My tropicals are my guilty pleasure. I have a large rain tank that I use for the backyard. The front is mostly perennials and very little grass. They do fine with little water, but I do love going out back to pamper those tropicals!