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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

Container combination


Coleus "Defiance" and Variegated Plectranthus (Swedish Ivy)


Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. I love the container. And your pedestal behind it with the ladies!

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  2. Beautiful...I love the combo! Have you been having rain lately? We've had quite a bit and the plants look happy now!

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  3. Love it! I do coleus in containers every year. It is one of my favorite container plants. What are some of your tips on keeping it looking so good? When do you pinch it back/trim it? Yours looks so good, I know that you have to have some tricks up your sleeve!!

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  4. Awesome color - I love that coleus. I am saving it's name so I can add it next year.

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  5. These look great together! Coleus is just the most beautiful summer foliage plant.

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  6. It does catch your eye, beautiful.

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  7. Hi really like these combinations Phillip~You've got texture, color and different leaf shapes! gail

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  8. Yep, I like this combo. The coleus is such a surprising plant. They look so small in spring and then they take to the heat and humidity and grow large giving such a lovely show with just those leaves.

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  9. Simple and elegant, I like it. My coleus isn't doing well this year. I've about given up on that container
    Marnie

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  10. I do love Coleus(es?). The colors (and name) of 'Defiance is so vibrant. I actually sowed some Coleus and they turned out great. The recent rains have made my container with them in it double in size (um, the plants, not the container itself, though it would be nice if it could expand alongside!)

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  11. Granna, we got about 1/2 inch on Monday. Not a lot but it helped.

    Lisa, actually I don't do that much to them except occasionally pinch them back if they start to get too tall. Some years coleus does better than others - last year they didn't do much, this year they are. I don't know how to explain it!

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  12. I love coleus. Your's has an award at http://chickenesque.blogspot.com/2010/07/its-been-long-enough-but-i-got-some.html

    ~Randy

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  13. Really pretty combo. I like how you have it displayed also.I have been following your blog for some time and enjoy your posts.

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  14. Excellent combination. I like Coleus too. Wonderful foliage for great containers.

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  15. Mmmm, pretty. Love your new background BTW.~~Dee

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