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
Beautiful hydrangeas. Mine also change color from year to year, though they seem to be going more toward the pink hues lately.
ReplyDeleteJan
Always Growing
I must say that hydrangeas would be in my top three if I had to rank my plants. I like 'Purple Tiers' also, but I had to move mine last year because my 'Bluebird' was overcrowding it. Alas, it did not survive the drought. It had a deep blue color that reminded me of a blank TV screen. I am teaching a class at work on Hydrangeas in a couple of weeks, and I like the topic so much that it is one of the few classes that I don't have to read notes for.
ReplyDeleteI love both your favorites. Well, really, I love them all!
ReplyDeleteIt seems as though you garden just goes on for ever and ever. I love all the hydrangeas!
ReplyDelete-Randy
Now that's what mophead Hydrangeas are supposed to look like. How fun that you get different colors in your Hydrangea blooms. All my non-white ones just bloom pink. (Which is OK, but blue & purple is sublime.) I'm glad they're making up for last year's disappointment.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderland of loveliness, Phillip! Lilacina is wonderful.
ReplyDeleteWe grew Annabelle and Hills of Snow in Illinois. I knew people in my old neighborhood who tried to grow hydrangeas with pink or blue flowers but the buds always froze over winter.
They're seen occasionally here in Austin but take some pampering, it seems.
Annie at the Transplantable Rose
You have no idea what a treat it is to visit your garden through your blog. Beautiful!!
ReplyDeletePhillip,
ReplyDeleteThis will be my third try to post! Something is going absolutely nutty with my cable line! But I love these beauties and can't grow them so I shall admire them from up here north of you! If I had to choose, well, it would be Purple Tiers.
Gail
Nice pics, and I especially like Purple Tiers.
ReplyDeletePhilip. Tell Michael I think it is spectacular. Do you use iron chelate to get the blue blooms? You have a "secret garden" how fun! I love the "giardino segreto" have you ever read Mapp and Lucia? if not, they are very funny books which feature a giardio degreto in them with lots madcap happenings.
ReplyDeleteAlso, the wall with the architectural fragments is terrific.