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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

Seasonal oddity



Things that make you go hmmm?

Only one branch of our kousa dogwood has fall color - a deep burgundy and the rest of the tree is still green. Very odd, don't you think?


Comments

  1. It's very striking. :)

    Do you like the kousas? We had more than a dozen plain dogwoods in our yard that died 5+ years ago from blight, I suppose. I'd like to replace some of them, but I'm concerned that the blight is in the soil now.

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  2. C.C., I do love the kousa dogwood. They may not be as showy as the other but I think they are very elegant. The blooms sit on top of the leaves so if it is possible to have a view looking down on them, it would be an advantage. I know ours is spectacular from a top story bedroom window but of course no one is usually up there to see it.

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  3. We can see which limb of the family tree is quite lively during fall. ;) It is odd.

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  4. Perhaps it is blushing in honor of your maiden. I have had this happen before but not so dramatically. Very beautiful Phillip. I just posted my Kousa too... all gone now and I have to say it was never so brilliant as yours! Carol

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  5. Not to jinx you, but that odd color pattern may indicate some kind of stress. Nevertheless it is beautiful.

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  6. The blooms sit on top of the leaves so if it is possible to have a view looking down on them, it would be an advantage.

    Then they would be perfect for us. We have a large picture window that overlooks the back yard. Thanks!

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  7. Boy, you garden sure is in a lot better shape than mine is right now!

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  8. Well, it sure is a beautiful red. The rest of the tree can't be far behind. Beautiful grounds, by the way.

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  9. Phillip, your garden is lovely, even this late in the season. Those paths that disappear round curves beckon us to follow;)
    Marnie

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  10. I had the opposite on my Japanese Maple. All of the tree was red except for one branch that stayed green.

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  11. What a pretty color. Maybe a wave of cold air hit only it and not the rest of the tree. We have three blueberry bushes and only one is brilliant red, the other two are green. I believe it is colder in that spot. Your garden scene looks fabulous!

    Frances

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  12. Hi Phillip, I think nature has still a lot to teach us. Here in Chile nature also has been very different.
    Cariños
    María Cecilia

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  13. They are the best trees for brilliant fall color and the fruit is awesome looking....It is odd that only that one branch is red. Your garden is lovely~~I love the curve and the material you've chosen for the paths. gail

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  14. I've seen quite a few odd foliage happenings this year. Red maples with yellow centers and red borders on the leaves. The weather is probably the culprit!

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  15. I agree with Les but nevertheless it's very striking, and then again, may just be an oddity. These plants always keep you guessing!

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  16. Very odd! I think the weather has confused many plants.

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  17. How odd! We sometimes have a few maple leaves turn early during a dry summer but never a whole section of the tree. I hope Les is wrong about the stress, but it looks that way. At least it is beautiful and you still have leaves.

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  18. Very interesting! This fall has been pretty interesting with the foliage- we get a little chill, the color turn starts, but then we get a warm spell that halts everything (and makes my daylillies start to sprout). Perhaps that is what happened here?

    In any event, a great study in contrast!

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