Years of crippling dry weather has seen the rise of the drought-proof gardens in Tamworth and the surrounds.
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Decorative gravel, faux lawn, native plants and more recently cacti trends have taken over the plant world.
But what happens to the region's desert oases now there's record rainfall, and a relax in Tamworth water restrictions to a dream-like Level 1?
On Monday, Tamworth, Moonbi and Kootingal moved to Level 1 water restrictions.
Sprinklers, sprays, microjet sprays and fixed hoses are now allowed, even if only for two hours a day, from 6pm to 8pm during the current Daylight Saving Time.
Tamworth Nursery horticulturalist Aiden McGregor and owner Steve Smith said there's not been enough of the wet stuff to worry about yet.
"The biggest problem at the moment with the rain would be the potential for fungus ... it's unlikely there would be enough water to flood these gardens," Mr McGregor explained.
Then when the rain started coming in that's when the plants died - they'd lasted the whole drought, and when it broke they [the plants] just gave up.
- Steve Smith
"Spotting on leaves, white powdery-ness, they are the signs to look out for there."
Roses suffer in high humidity, as do ornamental grapes and crepe myrtles, although there are varieties out there, mainly the newer varieties, that are more humidity-resistant.
Mr McGregor said while there had been "a huge influx" of interest in the natives, more recently the desire for cacti is all the rage.
"We sell roughly 40 to 50 per cent natives, the rest are exotic," Mr Smith explained.
The pair had seen interesting things over the drought, but what surprised them the most was what happened once the rains started.
"We had quite a few people come in and tell us they'd been hand-watering some of their plants during the drought," he said.
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"Then when the rain started coming in that's when the plants died - they'd lasted the whole drought, and when it broke they [the plants] just gave up."
The duo said while it's important to still be water conscious, it's also imperative to think for the future especially if planning an established garden.
"You have to think of the future - while we are getting nice rain falls now, Australia is always either in drought or on the edge of drought."
But whether it be exotics, natives or cacti, they both said plant what you love.