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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

Crape Myrtle view



We have a little room off of the kitchen that we call our breakfast room - it was a back porch when we moved into the house and we had it enclosed. The crape myrtle outside one of the windows has been spectacular this year. We had heavy rains and thunderstorms yesterday afternoon which beat the flowers down a little but you really can't tell it in the photo.

This is one of the prettiest crape myrtles in our garden and believe it or not, we tried to kill it when we first moved in. We thought it was planted in a bad place and it didn't fit in with our design plans at the time. Needless to say, after numerous attempts of cutting it down, it simply came back with a vengeance. At the time, I didn't know that these plants are indestructible. Add them to the list of cock roaches and Cher as to what will survive a nuclear holocaust. Long story short, we laugh about it now because it is now such a beautiful tree.

Comments

  1. CHER, oh how funny you are!!! Thanks for a belly laugh. Your crape is a beauty and what a joy to look out the window at it, even though it doesn't seem to be holding is against you for attempted murder. :-)
    Frances

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  2. How can you leave that room and go garden? I would just sit there and stare at the beautiful tree...

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  3. cockroaches and Cher - ha! I love crape myrtles -- we have one the color of yours and two dwarf pale pink. other than spraying one year for powdery mildew, they have required no care at all!

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  4. Ooooooooohhhhh, my favorite room.--Randy

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  5. Thank goodness the Crape Myrtle didn't succumb to your murderous advances. It is now a beauty. I could just imagine sitting there having a cup of tea and one of those tomatoe tarts. Yummmm. A feast for both the pallete and eyes.

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  6. I'm glad it wouldn't die. That photo is lovely. I can't grow them up here and it isn't fair. Why doesn't some clever hybridizer create a really hardy one?
    Marnie

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  7. Beautiful view. Glad it is resillient.

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  8. Our crazy neighbors a few houses away cut their row of crepe myrtles almost to the ground every couple of years, and they always come back full and beautiful. Your post convinces me ... I'm going to plant one in the ugliest part of our back yard -- hot and dry with poor soil -- and see what happens.

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  9. Sometimes it takes whacking an unlovely plant back to the ground and starting over to bring out its true beauty.

    It's a lovely view, and the pink is one of my favorites -- well, they're all my favs.

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  10. Phillip, That's a nice view.

    It's just as well you lost the battle to eliminate it. It's also funny how gardening ideas, views change and go in cycles. I can honestly say that at times I garden on a whim. It really is perfect framed through the window

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  11. It is a beauty of a tree...and as you say, they are indestructible. Is it one of the beautiful limbed beauties for winter interest? gail

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  12. It's always smart planting flowers where you can easily see them--like outside your breakfast nook; too bad I don't take my own advice! ;-) Crepe myrtle is one zone too warm for us here in MI, more's the pity!

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  13. They really are beautiful. I just found out a few weeks ago that most can grow in London, Ontario. I'll definitely try them when I have the space!

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  14. That's funny that you tried to kill that Crape Myrtle. It's beautiful now and what a view!

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  15. What a gorgeous waterfall of colorful crape you have to view through your simple and elegant drapes... each morning over coffee or tea! I love the contrast of what appears a somewhat formal room looking out to the exuberance of growth in your death defying crape myrtle. Wonderful photo!

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  16. Nothing brightens up the hot southern summers like the bowling ball sized blooms on our beloved c.m.

    Fantastic view!

    Cameron

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  17. You are quite the photographer!! That picture should be framed as a lovely piece of art.

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  18. It's only been a few years since a crape myrtle has been developed to survive Chicago's climate. I let out a little Southern yelp when I first saw it at the garden center where I work.

    Your's is SO gorgeous. I'm sill trying to figure out if I can find room enough in my small urban garden.

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  19. It's only been a few years since a crape myrtle has been developed to survive Chicago's climate. I let out a little Southern yelp when I first saw it at the garden center where I work.

    Your's is SO gorgeous. I'm sill trying to figure out if I can find room enough in my small urban garden.

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  20. What a lovely spot to sit and day-dream! You're lucky that crape myrtle knew better than you.

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  21. A view after my own heart. Our best interior spot to see the Crapes is from the guest bathroom "throne".

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  22. Beautiful view- perfectly framed with your draperies. And, as always, love your wit!

    I've found that these too can be a bit aggressive- we have little crape myrtles popping up all over the place. It's actually nice as I wanted a few more and there are few things better than a free and beautiful plant!

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  23. That is surely a beautiful view. I love the color and you've captured it perfectly.

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  24. Good post.....
    Interesting view..
    Every one should read this ....
    thanks for sharin with us......

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    DyanaDevis

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  25. What a lovely, gracious view and setting.
    Thank God for indestructible plants - at least in your case :)

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