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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

May Bloom Day 2017

lupines

Abundant rain and a few sunny days have really jump-started the garden. Spring is finally here! Although the past few days have been rainy and very cool again, a long stretch of sunny days are predicted later in the week. The lupines, planted last year, appear to be very happy.

korean-lilac-2  
Last year, this Korean Lilac (Syringa meyeri 'Palibin') was blooming a full month ahead of this year. This beautiful shrub was already here when we moved in. It was a lovely surprise.


korean-lilac  


ceanothus-julia-phelps
When I first visited Portland a few years ago, I was blown away by the Ceanothus (California Lilac) that was growing everywhere. It turns out there are lots of different varieties, in varying shades of blue and growing characteristics. The first one I planted was 'Julia Phelps'. 
ceanothus-thysiforus-black-diamond
'Black Diamond' is a ceanothus with variegated leaves. It is just starting to bloom. My friend Rebecca bought one of these at the same time and in her Portland garden, hers is three times the size of ours!
 
chaenomeles-double-take-orange-storm
The shrub is still very tiny but a number of blooms have just opened on the Quince 'Double Take Orange Storm' (Chaenomeles)

clematis-nelly-moser
My clematis wish list is about a mile long. I have not planted that many yet. This is the old popular variety 'Nelly Moser'.

vaccinium-glauco-album-huckleberry
Himalyan Huckleberry (Vaccinium glauco-album). I ended up moving this from the back garden to the front. It is planted along the shady north foundation.

wallflower-erysimum-apricot-twist
I saw these at the nursery where I work and, like about 90% of the stuff I see come through, I wanted it. I have never grown wallflowers (Erysimum)before and I absolutely love them. I have two varieties planted together, this orange one is 'Apricot Twist'. A purple-flowered variety 'Bowles Mauve' can be seen behind them.


saponaria-ocymoides-rock-soapwort
Rock Soapwort (Saponaria ocymoides), purchased at Home Depot last year, and planted along the steep retaining wall next to the driveway, has returned.

salvia-forest-fire
Salvia 'Forest Fire'

Exbury Azalea 'Klondyke'
Exbury Azalea 'Klondyke' - I found this last year at Wal-Mart of all places.

deutzia-nikko
Deutzia 'Nikko' - I purchased this at Joy Creek Nursery in January during the Bloggers get-together.

Lithodora
Lithodora


euphorbia-ascot-rainbow
Euphorbia 'Ascot Rainbow'


pansies-japanese-forest-grass-japanese-maple-murasaki-kiyohime
And last, but certainly not least, are the pansies, surviving all winter in a pot on the porch. I just moved them to the ground. That is Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola') next to it. The Japanese maple above is 'Murasaki Kiohime'.
Garden Bloggers Bloom Day is hosted by May Dreams Gardens. Check out what is blooming in other blogger's gardens around the world. 

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. You saved the best for last - The pansies really shine against the Japanese Maple and Forest Grass! And the 'Klondyke' Azalea is an amazing color
    Happy Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day!

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  2. Your garden is poppin. I love lupine it is an annual here. It gets too hot and dry for it in my garden. This is an exciting time of year when blooms are marching through the garden.

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  3. Great range of blooms the pansies looked great against the Japanese grass. So simple but so effective

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  4. Lots of good pics and beautiful plants here, Phillip.

    I think I'm particularly impressed by the Ceanothus and the quince.

    Does the Himalayan huckleberry produce edible fruit?

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    Replies
    1. Not sure about that. They are very tiny!

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    2. Out of curiosity, I did some research on my own. I checked ~5 sources and each one (e.g., http://pss.uvm.edu/homefruit/hfgless.htm) indicated that the Himalayan huckleberries are edible... although none of the sources mentioned whether or not they are tasty! ;-)

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    3. Ok Aaron, when they form berries later in the summer, I will try them. :)

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  5. Oooh …Lupines , they seem not to like my garden ! Maybe I'll try them again .

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    Replies
    1. I actually grew these from seeds last year (and I am terrible at seed starting).

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  6. Oh, your Lupines are so pretty! I fell in love with Ceanothus too, when we moved here. Do your Wallflowers have a scent? The ones I planted a few years ago had a very nice scent, not like any other flower scent I'm familiar with.

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    Replies
    1. You know, I have not noticed a scent. I will make it a point to find out today.

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  7. What? You work at a nursery? Which one? It's my retirement dream to work at a nursery. Your blooms are gorgeous! It's funny where we find great plants sometimes. Oh those lupines. Swoon.

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    Replies
    1. Yard N Garden Land, just up the road from our house here in Hazel Dell. It is fun, busy and a little overwhelming. I want to buy too much!

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  8. Beautiful blooms and thank you for sharing.

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  9. Wow Phillip, everything is a vision of flowering perfection! Your Lupines look like a photo from a plant catalogue, I honestly never thought they could look so good in a real garden!

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  10. Hi Phillip, what a wonderful plants you have in your garden. And your photo's of it are breathtaking.
    Have a wonderful day
    Marijke

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  11. Hi Phillip, you got very nice plants in your garden! I especially like your Erysimum. I wonder for how long it will bloom. Does it produce new blooms during the summer?
    Best wishes,
    Lisa

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    Replies
    1. Lisa, I am not sure. This is the first year I have ever grown them. They have bloomed non-stop for over a month now.

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  12. Could you have taken prettier pictures? Wow!! I'm so happy you are enjoying gardening here in the PNW! It was so nice to talk to you and M for awhile at the plant swap! Enjoy the sunshine that is headed our way! Happy GBBD!

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  13. Gorgeous! Lucky you to inherit that gorgeous lilac!

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