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10 June Favorites

Magnolia 'Kay Parris' With so much going on in the garden in June, it is hard to choose only ten favorites. I challenged myself and have done just that. These are plants that look good around the midway point in June, specifically from June 15-20.  I begin with Magnolia 'Kay Parris'. Believe it or not, having spent the majority of my life in the South, I never grew a magnolia. They are emblematic of the South, where magnificent specimens grace old plantation homes and stately homes in older neighborhoods. I always thought of magnolias as huge trees, not suited to a small garden, but things have changed, and more varieties are now available that are not supposed to grow as large.  We now have two magnolias in our garden, both of which were added recently. When one of the old photinias that line our back property line died, it left a gaping hole. I had been looking at magnolias at the nursery and decided a smaller one might make a good backdrop and create a good privacy s...

Snow & Ice

Snow & Ice, Vancouver, WA (12/9/16) 
It started snowing yesterday around 1pm and continued for the remainder of the afternoon. Sleet and rain followed and is still lingering today. We did not have too many travel problems - I actually made it into work in Portland yesterday. My ice-encased vehicle was the most frustrating problem. It took forever to dethaw. 

Although temperatures hovered around the freezing mark, it felt much colder. The wind was just ferocious. Someone previously told me that it is the wind that is more detrimental to plants than cold temperatures. I covered a few tender plants with pots and I put a plastic sheet over my new camellia with all the buds. It will be interesting to see how everything copes.

These are some photos I took this morning.


Snow & Ice, Vancouver, WA (12/9/16)

Snow & Ice, Vancouver, WA (12/9/16)

Snow & Ice, Vancouver, WA (12/9/16)

Snow & Ice, Vancouver, WA (12/9/16)

Snow & Ice, Vancouver, WA (12/9/16)

Snow & Ice, Vancouver, WA (12/9/16)

Snow & Ice, Vancouver, WA (12/9/16)

Snow & Ice, Vancouver, WA (12/9/16)

Snow & Ice, Vancouver, WA (12/9/16)

Snow & Ice, Vancouver, WA (12/9/16)


Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. I'm so glad to see these pictures. I've read the forecasts but have not seen the results until now. The rose lying in the snow is very poignant. The mailbox and decorations with the snow crystals ... just perfect.

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  2. Glad you managed to stay safe. I'm not a fan of either snow or ice. It does make pretty pictures though.

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  3. Despite the ice and wind your place looks cheerful with the red ribbons and greenery to greet the world. It sounds like you have your garden all tucked in good for the winter season.

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  4. Hi Philip, I do love your fence. Your garden is really shaping up. Your images look wintry! We heard it was snowing up there. Temps are going below freezing here, and with more rain predicted - who knows, we may get snow in Alabama! I could do without frigid wind, however. And ice, especially on roadways.

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  5. This post is so beautiful that maybe even *I* could learn to like winter!

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  6. The rose-in-the-snow photo is great, if poignant. Based on several PNW blog posts the past couple days on frost and snow and ice--must be fun to photograph, but does a camera start to freeze up? Does the lens get frosty? I can't imagine that weather.

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  7. Your pictures are lovely, especially appreciated from outside the reach of your horrible ice storm. Glad you and your garden are safe and sound!

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