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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

December bouquet

Another extremely mild weekend with temperatures in the 70s. A change is on the way though with rain coming tomorrow and much colder winter-like temperatures. We need the rain. It has been very dry lately.

I noticed there were lots of roses and camellias blooming right now and picked some yesterday.

In the bouquet are roses "Mrs. B.R. Cant", "Knockout" and "Mrs. Dudley Cross". The camellias are "Pink Icicle" and "Debutante".

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. That is a beautiful bouquet. Enjoy them. I agree with you on the need of rain. We are below freezing today. Cold front rolled through this morning. Have a nice week.

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  2. What a sight for these color starved eyes. Beautiful. It is warmer than usual here but not as warm as your area. We need rain too. Good luck.

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  3. I'd happily give you some of our rain! Beautiful boquet from a magical time in your garden - roses and camellias blooming atthe same time. Sweet.

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  4. What a treat - roses in December! They are beautiful.

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  5. Gorgeous! Roses and camellias are my two favorites, and it's so wonderful when they bloom together! I hope you get some much-needed rain.

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  6. Just beautiufl Phillip! I'm getting a Debutante. I don't know where it's going, but I'm getting one. LOL My neighbor has two huge ones!

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  7. Zowie! I was hoping there'd be roses and camellias when I came to visit. How did your grocery shopping trip go btw. I saw you were excited about the new store on FB.~~Dee

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  8. Hi Phillip, what a beautiful bouquet! I think it is so wonderful that you are able to pick a bouquet like this from your garden at this time of the year. It beats the store bought florist bouquets any time. My favorite blooms from this little plonk are the Mrs. B. R. Cant rose and the Debutante Camellia. Thanks for sharing!
    Christina

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  9. Those are delicious roses! We've had very cold weather there's nothing left blooming.

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  10. I'm using up the last of my tomatoes I picked before the killing freeze. It'll be officially winter when my last one is gone.

    The camellia and roses have been a beautiful sight around the Shoals this year.

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  11. How wonderful it must be to still have roses in bloom. Although we are having a mild December, we've had a few hard frosts, so no roses for me. But there are still pansies around, so I can't complain. I wish camellias bloomed up here!

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