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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

Weeping China Doll rose and Rose Campion






Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. Phillip tell me about the rose campion. I just ordered seeds of a white rose campion and would love to know how it does for you. Sun or shade? Self seeding? Any info would be helpful. I am really focused on filling in the white garden here.

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  2. David, it is a wonderful old fashioned annual that reseeds freely. It does fine in my garden with just a little sun - maybe 3 or 4 hours a day. It may pop up in surprising places but you can easily pull it out.

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  3. What a beauty. Any nibbles on your house?

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  4. Very nice Phillip! Any bites on the house yet?

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  5. Lisa and Carol, a few lookers but nothing serious yet. I am afraid the garden is going to be a liability. :(

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  6. I love that China Doll rose! I like it combined with the bright Rose Campion.

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  7. Are you serious?? It's CRAZY that your beautiful garden is seen as a liability.

    Is it because people are intimidated by the idea of maintaining it? Or do that many people really prefer a sterile lawn?

    As for rose campion, I feel like a failure because I've tried direct sowing it a few times in the garden and have never gotten any results. (Either that or I've mistaken the seedlings for weeds and accidentally killed them, which of course is a possibility.)

    I probably need to find annual seedlings someday, plant them and then let them self-sow...

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  8. the right person will come along. one that will take good care of it!

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  9. Aaron, I am sure it would be the maintenance! There are not a lot of people that enjoy that! haha

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  10. Beautiful roses :)

    Have you decided if any of your roses will be coming with you when you move?

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  11. Phillip, You shared a rose with me several years ago and I believe it is the weeping china doll. It is very ruffled and I used it to make some beautiful arrangements for a church luncheon. You weren't sure at the time what rose you were sharing. Just wanted to say thanks. Sherry

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