Skip to main content

Featured

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

A Chandelier in the garden


Last year when our garden was featured on the local garden tour, this little number received about as many comments as the purple wall. It was Michael's idea, who has a knack for these things. The chandelier had been sitting in our basement for years. I had considered putting it inside the iron pergola in the secret garden but he told me he wanted to try something else. Just days before the tour (in fact, it may have been the day before!), he transformed the fixture into a hanging basket of sorts. The bottom portion of the chandelier was removed and a planter form was cut and fitted in. Potting soil and sphagnum moss was added and then, viola! A chain was added and draped over a branch and secured at the trunk of our massive pecan tree. It is very heavy so the only time I lower it is to replant it in the spring. It is watered with the spray from the hose and since it is hard to get to, I don't fertilize it.

I am still experimenting with plant materials. This year's planting of coleus, ivy and calibrachoa leaves a lot to be desired. The coleus has gotten way too large and the calibrachoa and ivy are puny. Last year I used New Guinea impatients and ivy which turned out nicer.

Comments

  1. I'm so glad to see you've started a blog! I really enjoyed touring your garden and now I'm looking forward to being able to see it here in other seasons too.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks Rurality, I enjoy your blog too. I visit it every day!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Your blog is absolutely wonderful! I was just introduced to it via Pam over at Digging, and I'm so glad I found you! I'll definitely be back :-)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Welcome to the gardening blog world, and I love the chandelier and the purple wall is wonderful! I love yard art.

    ReplyDelete
  5. very cool idea. it may not have turned out as well as you wanted, but it made for a great photo.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Like stumbling onto a buried treasure chest. Your blog is a real treat, and I love the chandelier, both concept and execution. Keep up the grand work, please!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thanks for all your comments. I really appreciate it!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love the chandelier! It's great to see quirky things in the garden and they always attract my attention on garden tours. And your purple wall! Wish I'd been on that tour. Very nice blog!

    ReplyDelete
  9. This garden provokes to see us to go and enjoy the nature

    Sunil

    Cash Online Get Easy cash at your door step

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular Posts