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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

Late Spring Flowers

The dreaded heat and humidity is encroaching!  The good news is that we have been getting rain. These photos were taken during the last two weeks and I am just now getting around to them. I have already posted some of these photos on Facebook and Twitter so if you follow me there, I apologize for the duplications!

Some close-ups from the garden -


Lady Belles (Adenophora)



Geranium "Vancouver Centennial"
Geranium "Vancouver Centennial"
Spiegela (Indian Pink)
Indian Pink (Spiegela) - love this plant!
Indigofera amblyantha (Chinese-Indigo)
Chinese Indigo (Indigofera amblyantha)
Rose "Red Cascade" and Phlox
Rose "Red Cascade" and Phlox
Rose "Daydream"
Rose "Daydream"
Rose "Sweet Chariot"
Rose "Sweet Chariot"
Aralia cordata "Sun King"
Aralia "Sun King" (Aralia cordata)
Variegated Solomons Seal and Indian Pink
Indian Pink (Spiegela) with Variegated Solomon's Seal
Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. Indian Pinks are fab. I would love to see a splash of their color here. The heat is building here too. Summer is almost upon us.

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  2. The Daydream rose is dreamy.

    Your Indian Pinks look fab. Mine are finished already! But perhaps that's because they were nursery bought and planted this spring? Maybe they'll bloom later and longer if they return next year? (I didn't deadhead, which I heard can stimulate repeat bloom, because I'm hoping to get seeds. But I don't know. They may have finished blooming before the hummingbird came back to the garden...)

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  3. Phillip I believe it was good year for Indian Pinks. Never had this many blooms. Love them too!

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  4. Phillip,
    I always swoon for your roses! Do you do anything to keep them robust -- spray, etc.? Which ones do you feel hold up best in our humid environments? Thanks!

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  5. Shenandoah, I don't do anything special to them and I don't spray. Only the toughest stay! I find that hybrid musks do well and they take our increasing shade better than most roses.

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  6. Nice photos today. I especial like the rose - Daydreams. Very nice. Glad to make the visit today. Jack

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  7. The roses are adorable. Love those small sweet blooms. You know, I've tried growing Indian pink, but it died out. I must have placed in a place it didn't like. I do love the look of it though. ~~Dee

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  8. I love those roses...the color is amazing.

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  9. I love your Indian Pink. I was given some last year, but I critter dug it up almost immediately. :( Hopefully I'll be able to find some more one day!

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  10. I love to "visit" gardens in other zones, and see the different plants. Indian pinks look really cool, I've never seen them in person. That first rose picture is absolutely gorgeous!

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