Skip to main content

Featured

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

More roses from Portland

Here are some individual rose shots from the Portland International Test Garden. Since I grow mostly old roses, I have been out of the loop on the hybrid tea and modern roses front. It looks like the hybridizers have introduced some exciting selections. Here are some that caught my eye.

Rose "Rhapsody in Blue"
"Rhapsody in Blue" - isn't this color amazing?

Rose "Bewitched"
Another lovely lavender rose called "Bewitched".

Rose "Cinco de Mayo"
"Cinco de Mayo" was a 2009 AARS winner.
Rose "Daydream"
"Daydream" is a rose that we grow in our garden but it doesn't look like this!

Rose "Dortmund" with Pink Dogwood
"Dortmund" again - this time growing among the branches of a pink dogwood.

Rose "Dr. Dick"
"Dr. Dick" - I laughed when I saw the name of this rose. It immediately brought back memories of Christine Baranski on "Cybil". She was also dissing her ex-husband "Dr. Dick"!
Rose "Grande Amour"
"Grande Amour" - a stunning red rose. Perfection!

Rose "Heaven on Earth"
"Heaven on Earth"

Rose "Ketchup and Mustard"
"Ketchup and Mustard" - now who would name a rose this?
Rose "Kiss Me"
"Kiss Me"

Rose "Princess Alexandra of Kent"
"Princess Alexandra of Kent" - a lovely profuse rose. If I get the chance to grow roses again, this is one for my want list.
Rose "Sparkle and Shine"
"Sparkle and Shine"
Rose "Strike It Rich"
"Strike It Rich"

Rose - unnamed trial
This rose was labeled "Unnamed Trial Rose" and it was a stunner. It is sure to be a success.


Rose - unnamed (foliage)
I thought the foliage was quite interesting as well.

Rose "Barbra Streisand"
"Barbra Streisand" - I've read a lot about Ms. Streisand's demand for perfection in choosing her namesake rose. It looks like she made a good choice. Another superb lavender rose.
Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. Beautiful roses! Years ago I tried to grow some hybrid teas but with black spot and Japanese beetles I gave up. In the last couple of years I've tried some English shrub roses but they still seem to prone to black spot. Are there any you grow that show any resistance? I am growing several of the knockout roses.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm all of descriptive words. I thought "Rhapsody in Blue" had to be the prettiest one until the page finished loading. Now I don't know. I think I love 'em all.

    ReplyDelete
  3. That Rhapsody in Blue is much more blue than mine. I assume that's a camera/color thing? It's a blackspot magnet here in Kansas.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Rhapsody in Blue looks unreal. I like the yellow one best I think. No maybe that one you liked. No maybe the last one. Heck, I don't know which I like best. Beautiful, all.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Sue Ellen, I grow mostly hybrid musk, noisette, polyanthas, etc. They are more resistant than hybrid teas.

    ProfessorRoush, the color is enhanced a bit but it was pretty vibrant. It is like you said earlier, the roses out there just look different.

    Lisa, I know, it is hard to choose just one!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wonderful collection Philip and your photos are marvelous as always! Larry

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh my goodness, those roses made me drool! Mine are all resting right now, so it was fun to see all of those pretties in full bloom.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Cinco de Mayo! No, the next one, no, the one after that! Rose overload is right. Heavenly!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular Posts