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
I've tried and failed with this one three times! Adding insult to injury is the fact that one of my gardening friends has one that's at least 12 feet tall!
ReplyDeleteI'm happy to enjoy it vicariously in your garden!
Hi Phillip, I just found you through a search for Alabama gardens on botanical.com. Boy do I need to keep up with your blog! I moved to Alabama from northern NY in April of 09 and have a LOT to learn! And this looks like the place for me to get an education! What a great spot and I look forward to going back in time. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI will never forget the first time I saw some camellias. It was winter and I had gone south for some reason. We stopped at a rest area and there were camillias blooming. I wondered what kind of roses they were. Ha... Love seeing yours.
ReplyDeleteThey certainly fill a gap in the garden this time of year. I love the way they just up and surprise you one day when walking through the garden. I kind of forget they are there. But not now!!
ReplyDeleteNice! I just added two 'Winter Snowman' camellias this year. I can't wait to see the blooms!
ReplyDeleteThat is a beautiful camellia, and perfectly named!
ReplyDeleteYour photos are delightful.
ReplyDeleteC. sasanqua marks the beginning of the winter garden. I have the older white, here for 50 years and now a tree form. It has a delightful tea fragrance as well as that daily carpet of petals underneath.
I trimmed our Camelia bushes way back late in the summer and was not expecting many blooms. Whoa, I am surprised to have plenty white blooms! And so far no cold to turn them brown! So beautiful...
ReplyDeleteI think these sasanqua camellias are as beautiful as shrub roses yet more precious because of the time of year they bloom. Nothing lifts my spirits more in these days of limited light.
ReplyDeleteIs this an Ackerman Hybrid?
Lovely. I have a special affinity for white flowers, and this one is great for the late fall.
ReplyDeleteJan
Always Growing
I could not imagine a garden without a sasanqua or two.
ReplyDeleteIt is always so hard to choose from all the great camellias out there but this type of bloom (not to mention the timing) adds it to the near-top of my list. thanks so much for the rec!
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