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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

Golden Spirit Smoke Tree

Golden Smoke Tree (Cotinus coggygria 'Ancot')

 
Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. Lovely! I tried a burgundy smoke tree here, because it's supposed to be deer resistant. Nope. They loved it!

    Your Golden Spirit is gorgeous.

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  2. A handsome shrub. I bet it shines in the morning light.

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  3. Awwwwwwwww it makes me miss my purple one. :0(

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  4. There's no other tree I love that the Cotinus smoke tree! The red colored ones are gorgeous. We've tried growing them and we have such drought conditions they do not do very well here.
    The smoke trees are native to Tennessee yet we can not seem to get the seeds to germinate and come up. If anyone has any tips or ideas on hoe to cold, heat or wet stratify these in zone 7 Id sure be interested.

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