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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

Angel's Trumpet and Crape Myrtle




Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. Beautiful! My Angel Trumpets are no where near that far along.

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  2. When I see big ole plants of Angel Trumpets it reminds me of a trip we took to Trinidad. It was the first time I ever remembered seeing the plant. They seemed so exotic. Now it seems everyone is growing them. Yours is beautiful.

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  3. I had one of these in my backyard in California. I tried to grow one here and then our big winter snow came and ate it right up. I guess I need to try again. How did yours survive? ~ Lynda

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  4. Hi Lynda. I used to always dig mine up and bring it into the basement for the winter. However, many years ago I left it in the ground and mulched it heavily. It has survived for years. Our winters are usually pretty mild though. A really cold freeze could do them in.

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  5. Such a beautiful pairing! I have friend who is attempting to grow crepe myrtle in our climate... I think he has gotten it through a couple years but of course it behaves like an herbaceous perennial... it is going to bloom this year however... My brugsmansias are very shy on bloom this year for some reason... never had that situation before... they are in full sun however and that may be part of the problem. Larry

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  6. My Angel's Trumpet has done nothing the past three years. It gets about a foot and a half tall and refuses to grow any further. I don't know if you remember or not, but it use to get huge.

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  7. Mine has outgrown his pot and is not going to flower. I'm not sure what to do with him, because the next sized pot is out of the question too big. hmmm.

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  8. wowzer! Love the Angel's trumpet, but, this summer, I've realized I adore the deeper colored crapemyrtles. gail

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  9. I like how the yellow of the angel's trumpet cuts the pink a little.

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  10. This has been a great year so far for Angel Trumpets in our area. I guess we have had enough rain to push them into bloom, twice so far.

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