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A Closer Look at Winter Damage

But first, take a look at this gorgeous rainbow that we had on Friday! The five-day stretch of warm temperatures last week really jump-started the garden. Now that plants are putting out new growth, it is easier to see what kind of damage the winter left. Back in mid-January, we experienced five straight days of below-freezing temperatures. This caused much damage in Portland and areas where frigid winds were a factor. Here, we were fortunate to not get the wind and the cold temperatures were dampened by a blanket of snow. That said, it was a tough time for the garden and there are noticeable casualties but no outright deaths that I have seen. The bottlebrush ( Callistemon 'Woodlander's Red') did not like the cold at all. It was planted six years ago, in the north-facing garden no less, and I've not experienced die-back on it until now. A local expert said to cut it all the way back so that is what I did. If it doesn't make it, I won't be too distraught. It is

Hydrangea "Twist and Shout"



The hydrangeas are beautiful this year and I've been photographing them this week. Instead of posting one long post with a million photos, I thought I would feature one hydrangea at a time. Since we have around 40, this might take a while but I doubt that I will get all of them on here.

First up is a new hydrangea that was just planted last year. It is touted as the first lacecap hydrangea that reblooms all summer long. The first hydrangea of this type was "Endless Summer" which I almost shovel-pruned because of lackluster performance. However, in its third year, it really took off and bloomed its head off. This year is no exception. Therefore, I was surprised when its cousin, "Twist and Shout", started blooming like mad in the second year.

Developed by Michael Dirr, "T&S" has impressive parentage ("Lady in Red" & "Penny Mac") which gives it a strong hardiness factor (zone 4) as well as lots of blooms. The "Lady in Red" characteristics can also be seen in the leaves - red stems and red leaf color in the fall. Flower color depends on your soil type - alkaline soils give you pink flowers and more acid soils display periwinkle blue blooms. As you can see, our soil tends to be more acid.

Stay tuned for more hydrangeas!




Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. I love hydrangeas...Great photo.

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  2. Ooh, the hydrangea is indeed wonderful, but it's that gorgeous pot that really stand out for me. I didn't realize it was red on the bottom. Cool!

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  3. I know you can change the color of the Mopheads and I know it's almost impossible to change the color of a white one, didn't know about changing the color of a Lacecap..Mine are doing fab this year as well.

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  4. Every Twist-n-Shout that I have seen tends to be a little on the gangly side, not that I mind that.

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  5. This must be the year for hydrangeas. My hydrangeas have the most blooms ever. I attribute this to no late frost. Wow, 40 different types of hydrangea?? Is that what you meant?? You will have blog fodder for some time. That is good. I am ready to read about them. I only have 5 different types of hydrangeas. I will look foward to seeing each of yours.

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  6. That's a really pretty hydrangea! A great vignette with the pottery.

    I had to leave all of my hydrangeas at a former home. I tucked one away here, but it didn't bloom. So, I moved it up to the fragrance garden next to the house this spring...it has bloomed the first time and the deer haven't found it (so far)

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  7. Good thing you didn't give up on the Endless Summer.

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  8. *That* is why someone should grow hydrangeas! And your choice of an urn really makes the picture... you are an artist.

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  9. Very cool! I have Lady in Red. This might be another good one to add to the garden.

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  10. It's beautiful. I look forward to seeing more of your hydrangeas.

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  11. Beautiful delicate blue color on those hydrangea flowers.

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  12. Phillip, it looks so much like 'Lady in Red' that I'm wondering what is different. Bigger blooms maybe? I would love to have that blue look but that would take too much work on my part. :-)

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  13. Genrally I think Hydrangeas are ugly. My neighbor has one planted at the start of his drive, and it looks awful. Your's doesn't look too bad. It's not a snow ball hydrangea. I love that vase, though!!
    ~Randy

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  14. Stunning urn!! Beautiful photo. 40 different hydrangeas...

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  15. What a coincidence, I just posted a photo of my Twist-n-Shout today too. (It hasn't started blooming yet.) Of course when mine blooms, it's much, much pinker than that. I have acid soil envy.

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  16. Lacecaps invite closer inspection. I look forward to seeing the rest of your collection.

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  17. Phillip, I was just looking at this beauty this afternoon....It was sitting next to a white mophead and put it to shame! Love it and your plan to share one at a time! gail

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  18. Oh wow. Great pics! I love see blues in the garden.

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  19. Nice hydrangea. The varieties in the Endless Summer Collection are a great addition to the landscape.

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