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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

The Flowers of February

Flowers are beginning to bloom in the dull brown February garden. The daffodils are slowly opening and should be around for a long time.





I didn't know we still had snowdrops (Galanthus). I vaguely recall planting them many moons ago. This little guy popped up next to the driveway.



Mahonia is always dependable. The yellow blooming spires are always dramatic in the winter landscape.

Comments

  1. Hi Phillip, I love the look of your blog now with those grape hyacinths, it just screams spring! Oh, I can't wait for the daffs either. Your flowers are cheering me while I wait for ours. I severely pruned the mahonia last year and it seems not to want to sprout any flowers, maybe next year, it had gotten so large. I loved seeing Michael and his cake, he is pretty darn cute! :-) And on my task list it says *Cosmos seeds for Phillip*. I would like to send you some if you are interested, they were the tall orange kind. Email me your address if you want some. francesg907atmsndotcom.

    Frances

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  2. Your daffies are way ahead of mine. And I would think it would be the opposite, since you're north of me. Funny how those things go.

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  3. Happy belated birthday to Michael. I want some cake! I have barely signs of emerging bulbs but at least I can see some green! Nice paint job also. You have been busy.

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  4. Hi Phillip, It's this time of year when I want to live even further south, perhaps in Alabama or S. Carolina or N. Carolina. Well, you get the drift. I am jealous of your daffs, and my snowdrops aren't blooming yet. Ah well, a month from now I'll have a show similar to yours. Just beautiful.~~Dee

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  5. Phillip, The daffs are gorgeous...with their orange cups. What a nice surprise from the snowdrops...I wonder if they liked the colder weather we had this winter? Don't you love their sweet white tipped with green. Have a good week~~Gail

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  6. I like the Daffodils also, and you can't go wrong with Mahonia for the winter garden.

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  7. I am so jealous that you can grow snowdrops. While I love the summer snowflakes I grow instead, I would love to be able to have some snowdrops. I can't believe your daffodils are already open. There are none around here that are open yet, and we are so much farther south than you.

    Jan
    Always Growing

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  8. The daffodil pictures are pretty awesome! They're just starting to bloom with a vengeance in Atlanta, as well, which is a nice break from the winter browns! Just found your blog through another, and it's awesome!

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  9. Everything looks great! It's exciting to see things starting to come alive again. It's also fun to see things that you forgot about begin to appear. I seem to have done that with some hyacinths.

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  10. Your garden looks very spring like, with all the blooms. Thanks for sharing them with us!

    Carol, May Dreams Gardens

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  11. Signs of spring are so encouraging!

    Cameron

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  12. I agree with Frances...the title image is fabulous! I love my grape hyacinths but there are no large areas of blooms. Mine are scattered across the yard in small clumps. Have you ever tried to transplant them? I am thinking of trying it to see if they will make more of an impact.

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  13. Beautiful pictures. Spring is definitely on the way.

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  14. Such sharp crisp photos...way to go! Looks like spring has sprung in your corner of Alabama. Sweetest season of 'em all, isn't it?

    Jon at Mississippi Garden

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  15. They look sooo nice! We have about6-7 more weeks before we see those!
    And a happy belated birthday to Michael!

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  16. Frances, I would love the cosmos seeds. I will e-mail you.

    I don't know why the daffodils are blooming here and not for you Southern readers - it makes no sense to me either!

    Tim, welcome and do come again!

    Thanks everyone!

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  17. The mahonia is something we can't grow here so I really enjoy seeing it in your garden.

    I miss those long Alabama springs;)
    Marnie

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  18. I keep saying I'm going to try planting some snowdrops. (And keep not doing it...)

    My sister-in-law has that same Mahonia, and I noticed that the bees were all over it this weekend.

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  19. Oh how pretty! I flew to your site as soon as I saw the bright spot of spring in my favorites list. Instead of one perfect picture I find a treasure trove!

    Thank you so much for sharing these photos that fairly sing out with color and beauty :)

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  20. Oh I love your daff's w/the orange centers. I need to get some like those some day. The yellow spires are amazing! I enjoy the snowdrops too and need to remember to plant those, also. My spring bulbs are almost all gone...squirrels, voles, etc. have done a job on them.

    Mahonia...someone else showed a gorgeous white one on their blog. I really like that & need to find out if it's something I might consider growing. Now all I need is more sun in my yard;-/

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  21. what a treat it has been to catch up with your blog! love the colors of spring...and that cake looks fabulous! Love seeing spring in your garden...it must be on its way up to us!

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  22. If I could grow Mahonia I certainly would. I think they are the most interesting southern plant. I love them when the fruit becomes that blue color.

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  23. I'm with Dee-it's this time of the year when I want to move back home :-) Thanks for showing your daffodills which are my favorites and always reminds me of Spring in Alabama.

    It'll be several months before we can enjoy the Spring bulbs here.

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  24. You have such a wide variety of spring flowers in your zone, Phillip! Mahonia and snowdrops and grape hyacinths and early daffodils - lovely.

    The painted garden structures look ready for the new garden year. Good luck on getting the new front fence that's on your wish list.

    Annie at the Transplantable Rose

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  25. Wow, “flowers of February.” That would be an oxymoron in Maine. The daffs are so cheerful, and I love your new banner photo. Happy Birthday to Michael too.

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  26. When I see Mahonia in bloom, I always realize how foolish I've been to not have planted it in my garden - yours looks beautiful.

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