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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

Early blooming magnolias

Star Magnolia (Magnolia stellata)



Saucer Magnolia "Rustic Rubra" (Magnolia × soulangeana)


Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. Just beautiful! Are these the ones we also call tulip trees? The Bradford Pears are bloomed out all over here and it's gorgeous!

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  2. Love the blooms of the Japanese Magnolias, they are all over our downtown area.

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  3. Beautiful! Makes me want to find a spot for a magnolia!

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  4. Note to self: Add a magnolia tree already! Absolutely beautiful!

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  5. Beautiful! They are blooming here too, spring must be coming:-).

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  6. They are out in spades here as well. Just lovely along with the redbuds and flowering cherries. More pink trees than green at the moment.

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  7. These are FABULOUS! Thanks for sharing!

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  8. Beautiful! I love the close-ups.

    Here they get zapped by freezes half the time.

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  9. Granna, the Saucer Magnolia is often called Tulip Tree (it is the pink one).

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  10. They're so lovely, Phillip!
    My neighbors' Saucer magnolia is in bloom just over the fence so I get to see the flowers and my podocarpus is mulched with pale pink petals.

    Saw a tweet from Roger Ebert that today is the birthday of Jennifer Jones and immediately thought of you!

    Annie at the Transplantable Rose

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  11. I'm having magnolia envy! Love looking at yours. Noticed today my Alabama Snow Wreath is leafing out! Can't wait to see it bloom.

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  12. Mine are a little behind yours. Just starting to break out. Fringe trees will be next. I have a meditation circle made with star magnolias around a sugar maple with a tulip magnolia at the head. Can't wait until they are large enough to really put on a show.

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  13. I love magnolias, the smell is intoxicating, so good. I love the hot pink ones, gorgeous.

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  14. This really looks like spring to me Phillip. Simply beautiful. My Magnolia only has those fat fuzzy buds as yet. These photos make me anxious to see more.

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  15. GLORIOUS!

    Thank you. This rejuvenates so many spirits.

    All joys to you,

    Sharon Lovejoy Writes from Sunflower House and a Little Green Island

    Love the rustic gazebo!

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  16. So jealous that your Saucer Mag is already showing off. I have at least 1 more week! I have 2 and think my dogs my have killed one over the winter. We will see shortly!

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  17. Lovely. Mine are blooming too. I like the way there is one or two at first, then the whole tree explodes.

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  18. I have a magnolia that was given to me & I don't know the name. It is more like a bush but is in bloom now.
    How can I tell what kind it is?

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  19. Lola, can you send me a photo of it?

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  20. Phillip I drove by your place to take a picture of the saucer magnolia at the old house on the corner of pine. I can't decide to post it or the one at Locust Hill on my next post on GRIT. Do you know the name of the home? I see you are still having problems with the trashy neighbor. Mary

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  21. Mary, are you referring to the big white house just up the street from me? That is Mapleton.

    Affirmative on the neighbors, its just something that will never go away, unfortunately.

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  22. Yes, Mapleton, thanks. It something how you can go by something every work day and not remember a name on the sign. I got a nice picture of the tree with the house behind it. I wanted to take some pictures of my daffs to post on my blog, but every time I grab my camera and open the door it starts raining. I have trashy neighbors who can't take their fast food containers home up the road & dump them off the bridge over the dry creek. It either blows into my yard or gets caught in the tree roots along the creek or washes down to spring creek and to the river.

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