This is a Regency romance and Archimedia. Keep the mulch a couple of inches away from the plant’s foliage, however, to avoid encouraging disease. My favourite romance novel of all time is Flowers from the Storm by Laura Kinsale.

Heavy rainfall can result in running water that washes away newly planted flowers and vegetables, but adding 2 to 3 inches of mulch around the base of a plant will help stabilize the soft soil. Related: The 8 Best Climbing Roses for Your Garden Trellis, Arbor, or Pergola Mulch Ahead of Storms After the storm passes, stand them back up and brace them in place. And so it might not be surprising that Flowers from the Storm is my favorite Kinsale novel, because it’s the book of hers that is the most linguistically innovative, and the most directly concerned with language as a theme. Depending on the plant, this may not be possible if the base stem is thick and brittle, but flowering vines with supple stems can be laid along the ground (trellis and all) where they’re protected from the worst of the wind. In the Kinsale literary universe, mastery of language allows characters to exert power, create intimacy, and express desire. It’s Laura Kinsale at the top of her game or anybody else’s, for that matter.

The story, the language, the emotional intensity: this book has everything. If a storm with high winds is predicted, consider laying down trellises that are supporting vines. If you want to read a book that comes as close to perfection as any historical romance, then pick up Flowers from the Storm. Also, by amending heavy clay soils with compost, gardeners can encourage better draining, so storms with heavy rains pose less risk. In areas where the soil doesn’t drain well, consider planting in raised beds. Many plants do not like “wet feet,” and roots can rot if the soil is sopping wet. Unless you’re growing a plant that will tolerate soggy soil, such as canna or cattail, standing water can spell trouble.

Flowers from the storm