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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

Foliage follow-up


First of all, thanks for all the blog name suggestions! I received some really good ones and I'm making a list. Some of you asked if the property has a name. Not really, although Michael and I have discussed calling it "Shady Pines" because we love "The Golden Girls" and there are actually lots of pines on the property. So, a "Shady Pines" blog? I don't know yet.

 A few days ago I posted photos of flowers that were blooming. Now here are some foliage (and berries) shots I took.

Ornamental Cabbage (or Kale) (Brassica oleracea)
The center part of same plant
Italian Arum (Arum Italicum)
Holly 'O Spring' (Ilex cornuta)

Leatherleaf Viburnum (Viburnum rhytidophyllum)
English Ivy 'Gold Child' (Hedera helix)
Yucca 'Color Guard' (Yucca filamentosa)
Possumhaw Holly (Ilex decidua)

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. Hi Phillip, great shots of foliage! I think I still pay too much attention to blooms and to little to foliage. You are inspiring me to have a closer look at the foliage of a plant and value it more. I love the photo of the ivy with the bells with the green patina!
    Christina

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  2. Hi Phillip!

    Just Beautiful! I love the purple colors.

    Been so busy of late..so much going on. Hope all is well with you & dear Michael.

    XXXXX

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  3. Love those colorful leaves. My ornamental cabbage froze to death. It was pretty while it lasted. Can't wait to hear what you name your new blog/garden.

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  4. Now I know why Henry Mitchell so loved Italian Arum.

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  5. Just stunning! Although I do love flowers, foliage is so much more important.
    Dare I tell you that the Ivy is "Gold Child" ? "Gold Heart" has a yellow center. Would you like some?
    I love the name 'Shady Pines' Keep us posted.

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  6. Love the Shady Pines idea... :)

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  7. I love your blog name!! I also love these foliage close ups. :o)

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  8. That ornamental kale is amazing! What a beautiful color! And thank you so much! Thanks to you I now know that the tree the birds planted for me that I love so much is a possomhaw holly!

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  9. Impressed by the holly. Haven't come across that kind before.

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  10. Phillip putting Shady in the name will get you traffic from some of the porn sites. I have a post on my blog called the Hooligans Big Snow about my dogs experiences with the snow of 2011. You won't believe the traffic from these sites along with spammers trying to hack my site I have for that one story. My daffs are starting to bloom.

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