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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

May marches on

After the big flurry of roses in early May, there seems to be a lull during the later part of the month just before the hydrangeas explode into bloom. However, there are still lots of blooms to see.

Peony 'Raspberry Sundae'




Hosta 'Blue Angel' covered by those thingys that fall from the pecan tree





St. Joseph's Lily (Hippeastrum johnsonii)




A late blooming rambler named 'Super Dorothy'




Rose 'Petite Pink Scotch' growing up into Burning Bush




This iris was given to me many years ago and it has multiplied rapidly.





The Kousa Dogwood, which blooms later than the more popular dogwood.

This dogwood's blooms appear on top of the leaves and are not as showy as Cornus florida. In many respects though, I think it is a more elegant tree.
 






This is a variegated dogwood called 'Wolf Eyes'








Rose 'Buff Beauty'






Rose 'Caldwell Pink'





Text and photos by Phillip Oliver

Comments

  1. Absolutely gorgeous photos. And you've given me so much to look forward to in my own garden: my peonies are in bud right now, and I cannot wait until they bloom. I'm thinking I need a few more roses in my garden--that 'Caldwell Pink' rose is a real sweetie.

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  2. I am glad that I stumbled upon your blog. You have great photos and seem to have a real passion for old roses. I like the Kousa better than C. florida, mainly because it is more tolerant of adversity and more vigorous. It seems that many of my new customers who no jack squat about gardening, always want to start with roses and dogwoods. I usually try to steer them towards Kousas, away from C. florida and towards shrub roses and away from hybrid teas - get them going on something easy and then try the harder stuff.

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  3. Well Phillip,
    As usual you WOW me with your collection. I hope you have been enjoying the time off. Jamie and I have put our garden building on a hold for a little while, as we have given it priority over things we shouldn't have. Ooops!

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  4. Does that Raspberry Sundae smell as good as it looks?

    Thede luscious photos of your lavish and extraordinary garden are killing me, Phillip - but what a way to go!

    It's May!!

    Annie at the Transplantable Rose

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  5. Once again, you have wowed me with the photos of your garden. I am so jealous of that peony. It is the one plant I wish I could grow here, but, alas, it is too hot this far south. I agree that the Kousa dogwood is a very elegant tree. Your hard work is evident in these gorgeous pictures.

    Jan
    Always Growing

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  6. Hi, a fellow Alabamian here, drooling and coveting your wonderful garden. What a joy it must be to walk outside into that! I was tickled to see your Petite Pink Scotch because I have one I bought in Tyler, Texas 4 years ago and thought I had something nobody else would have heard of. Isn't it precious? What do you do to keep your roses healthy?

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  7. Hi Phillip, you have the most lush garden with mature specimens of roses and other first class shrubs. I love visiting here. What a treat to see the indigofera, our Cleveland HD had it and I almost bought it, but didn't know anything about it. Dry shade is the name of the game here, so now I will see if they still have it. Thanks!

    Frances at Faire Garden

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  8. I grow St. Joseph's lily, too but here in Austin it blooms in late March, close to St. Joseph's Day.

    I'm really taken with the peony. It is so beautiful. And the oakleaf hydrangea. I don't suppose there's any way to grow those in central Texas. Is it the heat or the soil, I wonder.

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  9. Phillip, I love the Iris, too and send me the Indigobush! Better yet, move your whole garden up here.... your garden is fantastically lovely.

    gail

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  10. That is quite a 'lull'! I have those 'thingys' all over everything from the oak trees! Can I pick a favorite? No, but I did put in two rose bushes this spring and it is your fault so thanks! I needed fragrance after seeing all your rose photos! I like the Kousa dogwood as it is more elegant as you say and no dogwood anthracnose problems which is killing all the 'floridas' around here.

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  11. Phillip,
    I was wondering..how old and how large is your virginia sweetspire? I have two, but they are only a year old so not very big..I'd like to put some in other locations, but am not entirely sure about how large they get. I never rely on the growth info from the nursery..everything seems to get bigger in my garden...so your advice would be helpful.

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  12. What a beautiful site. Your pictures are fabulous. That Louisiana iris is interesting. I think what that is is what was once considered a species, called Iris vinicolor. However, like a lot of Louisiana irises that were once give species names, this one appears to be a natural hybrid between Iris fulve, a red, and the tall coastal blue, Iris giganticaerulea.

    Patrick
    www.zydecoirises.com

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  13. Your Wolf Eyes is SO big! How long has it been growing there? Mine seems to barely grow. I too have that indogo amblantha. I love it! Very reliable and dainty. Non-stop bloomer. I had no idea what it was when I picked it up at Home Depot either.

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  14. You are the only person I know on the web who has pictures of Super Dorothy. I bought one last year because Heirloom Roses had them on sale. Hope mine looks as good as yours. Does yours get any rebloom?

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