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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

A host of golden daffodils



I WANDER'D lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host of golden daffodils,
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.



Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the Milky Way,
They stretch'd in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.



The waves beside them danced, but they
Outdid the sparkling waves in glee:—
A poet could not but be gay
In such a jocund company!
I gazed, and gazed, but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:



For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.
-William Wordsworth







Comments

  1. Beautiful. You're a very talented photographer. I bet you've won tons of awards. The poem warmed my heart. Thanks for sharing. We all need a little spring right now.

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  2. And a splendid host of daffodils indeed, Phillip. I had to learn that poem in grade 4, many eons ago, and am surprised that I remember 90 percent of it.

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  3. Such glorious daffodils! And your photos are beautiful.
    The poem is a favorite of mine. My father loved it and used to recite it to me.
    I posted it with my daffodils last spring :)

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  4. I got a bit sentimental reading it. There is something about those first flowers in the Spring that bring so much happiness to my heart. Beautiful photos.

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  5. Cool beans! That first one is especially beautiful.

    Oh BTW, I have been informed that the cherry tree on my blog this morning is actually a Japanese Apricot. No wonder it's earlier than all the other cherries, LOL.

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  6. Phillip, Your daffodil photos are stellar and they compliment the poem beautifully! Have a good Thursday! gail

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  7. I envy your photography skills. Awesome ones and a lovely poem.

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  8. Phillip,
    Those are abosolutely incredible photos! I particularly like the first one! Good job--Randy

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  9. Nothing speaks to me of spring more than daffodils. Mine are many weeks away but thank you for sharing yours.
    Marnie

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  10. Beautiful photographs. It'll be at least 2 more weeks before our daffodils are out in full force here.

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  11. BTW, here's a small something for you:
    http://inartliesmyheart.blogspot.com/2009/02/foundation-of-creation.html

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  12. Hi Phillip, wonderful wonderful wonderful. This is what spring is about. All the photos are gorgeous, well done and thank you. Our first daff opened today, very cold, sunny and windy. So much to look forward to.
    Frances

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  13. Phillip, this is one of my very favorite poems, and your daffodils illustrate it so well.

    Jan
    Always Growing

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  14. your photography is beautiful - thank you for sharing!

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  15. I've always enjoyed that poem-and have quoted it on a page in my blog, too. You have taken some superb photos here! This is a lovely post:)

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  16. The daffodils are out in coastal South Carolina too, at least the earlier ones. I really like your images of the flowers just before they open fully - sometimes I think I like them best.

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  17. Beautiful!! NOthing says spring like daffodils!

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  18. Thank you so much for bringing this poem to us. Your photos go with it perfectly.

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  19. The poem and pictures are sublime. Thank goodness daffodils never need to be "bailed out." They are hearty souls who can live 100+ years because they have few natural enemies. I always find it a paradox that pansies are hearty enough to withstand cold temperatures, and daffodils can go on forever, while man made things always have a certain shelf life.
    Renee Langmuir 4/4/09

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