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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

Cutting back the ornamental grasses

I took advantage of the nice weather on Saturday to cut back my ornamental grasses. The grasses add interest to the winter landscape but it is good to trim them back before the new growth begins in the spring. I just use hedgetrimmers to whack them back.









Comments

  1. Wasn't it an awesome day to live in zone 7? I am always thankful for a 70 degree day in February. BTW, looks like all my rose cuttings are doing well...success!

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  2. Thanks for the reminder, Phillip. I need to go out and cut my grasses back now before they start sprouting with all this warm weather.

    Jan
    Always Growing

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  3. What an awesome day here too. Oh man, I should have got outside & cut my grasses back too. What a great idea! It doesn't usually hit me till I see some growth & it makes such a difference if you get it cut back early.
    Debbie

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  4. I always find cutting back the grasses perfect therapy for winter induced cabin fever. It is like saying "OK spring I am ready for you now.

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  5. We are just a couple of weeks behind you in weather up here. This chore is on my list though. Isn't it amazing how this makes the garden seem more spring-like?

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  6. Phillips -- I started cutting yesterday and gave out from working on 11 buddleia. I have 9 more buddleia to do, then cut back the grasses.

    Cameron

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  7. Great weather for it! I need to do the same. It's time to get ready spring is on the horizon.

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  8. I need to do that, too. The weather has been so lovely that I can't drag myself inside, plus there is plenty to do outside.

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  9. Whack, Whack...and then, suddenly- it looks so bland:(
    But soon...there it is, right back again, beautiful as ever;)

    We clipped and whacked up here, too, this wkend. I chopped down my buddleia (it looks horrible now) and cut back my carpet roses. Those don't 'need' to be cut back, but the spaces I have for them all is limited. They come back nicely in the summer so I think things will be ok. My husband 'whacked' back the crepe myrtles too...they don't need it either, but there is a limit to the heighth that we can tolerate here. Have a wonderful day:)

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  10. Hi Phillip! The weather has been delightful and we've all headed outside to play or clean! I was thinking a garden vacuum would help with the stray pieces of grass that blow everywhere! Your post on Daphnes encouraged me to get a small plant that HD was selling. it smells luscious! gail

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  11. I use electric hedge trimmers to prune back grasses, but it's still too early for that here. I just like power tools!

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