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
We love it in our garden here in the PNW too, Phillip. Beautiful specimen.
ReplyDeleteI love Phlomis, especially the purple/pink ones...I just can't seem to find a spot big enough for them yet!
ReplyDeleteI have this too and it has done well for me for many years. My only complaint is that it is impossible to find any wholesale nursery growing it. We have one in the display garden at work that always looks good this time of year. People like it, want it, and are then told we can't get it.
ReplyDeletegorgeous phillip! I love yellow flowers.
ReplyDeleteI was gifted a Jerusalem Sage by a friend at the fall swap last year. I was amazed it was evergreen all winter. I have mine planted at the back of the border (luckily). I didn't know I was in for such a treat! Glad you shared this information so timely for me.
ReplyDeleteI cut all the flowers off mine because I don't like its bright yellow flowers with the pastel pink flowers of mountain laurel. I really need to move it this fall.
ReplyDeleteThanks for giving me ANOTHER plant to add to my (growing) list of "I need this plant in my garden."
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautiful.
This is one of my favorite plants for Austin gardens too. Very tough, and lovely in leaf and flower.
ReplyDeleteMy Jerusalem Sage (6 years old and - yes- planted in the front of the bed!) is so big and hairy, I'm almost afraid to try to prune it for fear of being devoured like a character in The Little Shop of Horrors! I did prune it about 3 years ago and brother did it make me itch, which is another reason I hesitate to tackle it. How far can I prune this beautiful monster? Can I cut it aggressively, 6 inches from the ground? The Stems on it are 1.5" in diameter and very woody. Should I just dig it up and start over. Any advice would be welcome. Thanks
ReplyDeletePuretexan, I have read that it can be cut back by half. You would want to do this in late winter. I have just lightly pruned mine but if you need to control the size, you would want to do this. You are probably in a much warmer zone than I am, so I am thinking that you could cut yours back even farther and it would be okay. Good luck!
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