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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

Lily "Silk Road"

A few years ago, I was on a lily kick and ordered a collection from The Lily Garden.  I chose the Orienpet collection. They have performed nicely even if they don't receive as much sun as they would prefer. They are all leaning towards the sun. This could be good though because the company says that the vibrant color of these lilies tend to fade in harsh sunlight. The first one to bloom this year is "Silk Road" and it is loaded with blooms. All of these lilies are very tall, from 5 - 6 feet, and I've got to find a better way to stake them.


Orienpet Lily "Silk Road"



Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. Yummy - love the colors in that flower!

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  2. A beauty! and 5 - 6 ft tall?! My goodness your lilies appear to be thriving :)

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  3. What a beauty. I love lilies and your is such a pretty thing. I planted two Frisco oripet lilies last spring and they are two feet taller this spring. Now I am wondering just how tall they will be next spring. LOL!

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  4. What a beauty! Aren't lilies great...I bought a trio of 'Black Beauty' from them last year and they were stunning...and this year, like yours, they are pushing 6' tall already!

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  5. Hi Phillip


    A beauty. 5 or 6 feet is a great size for a lily, expecially if she's throwing up loads of blooms.

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  6. I am smitten by these big lilies. I am going to get more for my garden too. This one is very pretty.

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  7. 6' tall might be cool. How much sun? 6 hours? I don't know why but can't seem to get on the lily bandwagon. Yet..Nice photos, Phil.

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  8. Lovely...Unfortunately the deer around here are really fond of lily buds so we do not get to see a lot of ours flower but somehow I think I will not be able to keep myself from continuing to try and planting more...

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  9. I think I lost my Silk Road last winter. At least I haven't noticed it growing or blooming, but I've had some stay dormant one year and come back up the next. I also lost my American Heritage & American Adventure lilium. Last winter was a cruel one for plant survival. I do have one similar blooming called Frisco. Mary

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  10. This is exquisite! I just have the one lily in my garden (besides daylilies) and it's called a Stargazer. I must get some more!

    Cheers, and thanks for stopping by my blog yesterday!

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  11. That's a pretty one! Wish I had more space inside the fence for more lilies. I have only 2 in the cottage garden.

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  12. One of my favorites! Unfortunately voles have been getting the roots of some of my bulbs which is upsetting to say the least! Larry

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  13. I lost my Silk Road last winter,
    I'll get it back this summer.

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  14. That is a stunner though star gazer is the tallest that I have in my garden.

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  15. Love Silk Road, have seen it in the Park Seed demonstration gardens. Lovely.
    Thanks for visiting my blog, just saw your comment on a very old post.

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  16. You have captured the moment in a uniquely soft and silky way!

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  17. I agree with Larry. Those damn voles ate every one of my lilies! Nest time I'll plant them in a wire cage.

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  18. I am currently on a lily kick and Lily Garden is a major favorite of mine. I planted several of the bulbs in the wire cages they make for hanging suet in trees for the birds. Others were planted in plastic pots with the bottom cut out.

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  19. I'm doing the "lilies of the valley" section in my former veggie garden surrounded by the "eyes have it" eyed daylilies. I think it'll look great in a couple of years after I get the daylilies out of the pots and into the ground. Mary

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