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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

Signs of Spring

Spring is a little late this year (we've had a cold winter) but it just takes a few warms days for signs to appear.

The tulips that I planted late are emerging -



And there are a few flowers -

Mahonia



Hellebores -




Daffodils -



Snowdrops -



And Camellia 'Professor Sargeant' is loaded with big buds -




Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. Those signs of Spring are always appreciated even more after such a long and cold winter. I remember that feeling last year. Pretty soon you'll have so much blooming you'll have forgotten about winter.

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  2. Love that dark hellebore. What kind of tulips do you have?
    Marnie

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  3. It's so exciting to see some new green emerging. Beautiful hellebore.

    Bad weather today?

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  4. Yes, yes, I get so excited seeing these first fleeting glimpses of spring. I even heard spring peepers calling this weekend. Spring is trying to emerge just as your tulips are. I see a cute little freckle peeking out from under that shy hellebore. Happy Spring Day to you Phillip.

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  5. Not bad those Tulips popping up nicely from such a late planting!

    Enjoy the first true signs of spring

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  6. I'm enjoying the evidence of spring on the blogs! Your photos, as always, are wonderful!

    Hope you're having a delightful day in the garden.

    Cameron

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  7. Congratulations Phillip, Spring is here, and there! Things are bursting out all over and to include our early vegetable seeds. Love this time of year and hope you are enjoying it.

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  8. Oh goody. I've been waiting for pics like these from you. Lets me gauge when my stuff will show up! I'll be excited to see all our tulips bloom. I just noticed mine coming out of the soil a little today.

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  9. These are the signs I'm seeing in my garden, though I have irises and not tulips. I've never been happier to see Spring on its way!

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  10. So glad to see you're coming out of hibernation!

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  11. Everything is late here as well. My fear is that all will flower at the same time and then we switch right to summer.

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  12. Phillip, They are lovely...and we so needed them after the cold winter. I hope my camellia buds open, they were sure blasted in February...gail

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  13. I love the shot of the Snowdrops.

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  14. Really feels like it has finally arrived. can help but want to live out there when the days are 70 and the nights are only 15 degrees colder!

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  15. Lovely shots. I was so excited this week to see my daffodils and crocuses opening. The crocuses, which have done absolutely nothing for the past 3 yrs, have multiplied with joyful abandon this year - I'm a happy camper!

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  16. I am loving all these signs of spring, but my snowdrops aren't blooming yet. You are right, spring has been slow. But more is happening every day. I am looking forward to seeing your lovely garden in full bloom. Your camellia is gorgeous!

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  17. It is with a sigh of relief that one discovers those treasures out in the garden isn't it?

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  18. Nice! It's great to see things coming alive and blooming.

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  19. Beautiful. I'm hoping we have a long spring after this long winter (fingers crossed but you know how that goes).

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  20. Love the new photos Phillip! I'm doing a bit of Spring cleaning today and have maybe 6 copies of the magazine Garden Design. Would you like them? If so just let Andy know and I'll have him bring them to you. Hope you are having a great day :)

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  21. The tulips are going to be gorgeous.

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  22. Looking good - I just cleaned up most of my Hellebores yesterday. Three are still buried under snow, but not for long. Don't you appreciate spring even more after a hard winter? You've had a taste of what we in the North go through every year. Now you understand completely why we get so goofy.

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  23. It's so nice to see you flowers, Phillip, especially the daffodils. It has been a rough winter and we are about a month late with everything. No daffs yet, only crocus, unheard of for this late date. Glad you tulips are showing. :-)
    Frances

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  24. Great photos! Mahonias are so cool looking.

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  25. It will only be a matte of time before those roses are in bloom!Can't wait!--Randy

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  26. Phillip,
    A lovely spring awakening in your garden. The Hellebores and snowdrops are just beautiful, and I look forward to seeing all of those tulips in bloom. I hope you continue to enjoy mild temperatures, and have a fabulous weekend! :)

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  27. Beautiful photos, as always!

    We got a nice rain yesterday, and suddenly the buds are plumper and daffodil blossoms have exploded! Loving it.

    I've been meaning to ask -- The grass in the photo at the top of your page appears to be northern sea oats, correct? The fall color is gorgeous. I won one off eBay and planted it last week in a shady location. It seems to be putting out new growth already. Have you had any trouble with it taking over?

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  28. What wonderful blooms you have. It's like a preview of the next month for me--alas, except for the wonderful camellias which don't grow here.

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  29. C.C., that is indeed Northern Sea Oats. I have not had a problem with it being invasive but I know that others have. It is very beautiful in the fall as well as throughout the year.

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  30. It looks like our springs are similar, but you're still a bit ahead.~~Dee

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  31. I'm really enjoying discovering the spring bloom from all over since I started my blog two months ago! I get particularly excited over hellebores! LC

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