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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

Visiting Rosedale Gardens

Daylily "Long Stocking"

Mary at Rosedale Gardens blog opened her garden today for visitors to come see her extensive collection of over 400 varieties of daylilies as well as a large collection of Japanese iris and Oriental lilies. Mary visited our garden a few weeks ago. She lives in Tuscumbia, which is just about 10 or 15 minutes away. She is delightful, welcoming and generous (delicious blueberry cake and daffodil bulbs!), and obviously caring (she rescued 3 border collies who you can see and read about on her blog).

After breakfast, Michael and I headed over her way. After a perfect day yesterday with a pleasant cool bite in the air and temperatures around 70, reality set in today as temperatures climbed toward 90. We are in for a hot week ahead with 90s all week. The heat didn't stop me from gawking at Mary's beautiful daylilies and iris. I did not take notes so I don't know the names of the daylilies but here are just a few from her huge collection.


You can see that Mary is an Auburn fan! She has an Auburn garden (orange and blue), a UNA section (gold and purple) and other color coordinated gardens. The daylilies are "Long Stocking"
"Ruffles and Son"

Iris 'Ruffled Dimitry' (Iris ensata)


Daylily "Sticky Fingers"

Daylily "Earl of Warwick"

Daylily "Chin Whiskers"

Daylily "Cameroon Night"

Japanese Iris "Crystal Halo"

Daylily "Chicago Picotee Memories"

Daylily "Quiet Whisper"

Daylily "Chicago Scintillation"

Daylily "Kindly Light"
And not just daylilies and iris. This is a beautiful dogwood called "First Lady". Isn't it gorgeous? I want one!






Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. Beautiful daylilly photos! I love the idea of color gardens for your favorite teams! Cute! Glad you survivied the heat!

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  2. I just love this time of year. Not only do our own gardens look good but it is great fun going to see other gardens. Thanks for taking us along.

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  3. Phillip I just wanted to thank you for the very nice post. Maybe next year Michael and you will skip breakfast and have brunch with the rest of the group. I had a few who were strangers when they came, but were friends when they left. Hopefully next year I won’t have any accidents and land up on crutches. I’m still hoping to avoid knee surgery which will have to wait until the winter if needed.
    The pictures are Long Stocking a spider daylily in first 2, Ruffles and Sun, Ruffled dimity Japanese iris, Sticky Fingers, Earl of Warwick, Chin Whiskers, Cameroon Night, Crystal Halo Japanese iris, Chicago Picotee Memories, Quiet Whisper. Chicago Scintillation, and Kindly Light. As you can probably guess, I’m into the spider forms a lot. I put a real nice orange daylily called Alabama Jubilee by the mailbox close to my Auburn sign after everyone left. It should be blooming in a day or so. Next maybe I can work on my Deshler High School and ebony & ivory sections. Did you notice the small variegated dogwood down by the large hackberry called Cherokee Daybreak? I think it will be a nice dogwood when it gets older.
    Again thanks for your visit and ignoring all of the weedy beds I had. Mary

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  4. Ah, Auburn and UNA, it just doesn't get any better than that. Next time publish some pics of the hooligans (Mary's two and one-half border collies).

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  5. Hello:

    Really beautiful photos of daylilies -- and so much more. I'm on Long Island, so our season is just beginning. Still waiting for daylily and hydrangea color.

    Nice blog!

    Best,
    Kevin

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  6. Gorgeous flowers! Stupendous photography! I do not have a green thumb but greatly appreciate those who do. Had no idea there were so many varieties of day lilies! We had orange ones that were devoured by the abundant deer in our area north of NYC. Thanks for a glimpse of heaven-Terri in Chappaqua, NY

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  7. What an impressive collection! I'm especially fond of the one with the very thing patals, 'Kindly Light', I think you said...very elegant.

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  8. I am an avid doll collector but I Love roses and enjoy books, shows, and exhibitons about flowers.

    Michael led me to your Blog and Website where I have already bookmarked several links including one to David Austin Roses!

    Both your Blog and Website are beautiful, informative and a pleasure to read. Love your photography!

    I plan to check in often and thank you again, Phillip.

    gerri
    aquabluerose

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  9. Oh wow, she has a lot of beautiful daylilies!

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