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
Beautiful colours and textures.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great group of bloomers you have. I usually don't like St. John's wort or Potentilla but I am going to have check out the two you are growing. So much more interesting that the usual ones I see. As for your rose, I had a big Emma Hamilton (the woman, not the rose) phase. Very interesting woman if you are not familiar with her.
ReplyDeleteI am not familiar with her but will make a mental note to learn more about her, especially now that I have a rose named after her!
DeleteLots of beautiful blooms in your garden! Your clematis are glorious. Kniphofias are really wonderful but I tend to kill them.
ReplyDeleteLots of flowers! I especially like that intro shot with the Kniphofia. Your neighbors must be thrilled you moved into the neighborhood.
ReplyDeleteI'm not looking forward to the heat next week either. I dislike it intensely, give me overcast skies and even a nice misty rain and I'm happy. Your flowers are stunning! I've never heard of that Potentilla, what a rich red! I wouldn't mind letting that purple Penstemon take over part of my garden, might it be 'Blackbird?' That first shot of the Kniphofia is wonderfully atmospheric.
ReplyDeleteI can give you plenty of the penstemon, assuming that it is easy to divide. 'Blackbird' does not ring a bell. I am not sure.
DeleteOh lovely burst of flowers I envy your post since we cant grow clematis in our hot region but we can grow sweet peas as annual in spring
ReplyDeleteSo many nice plants! The Cuphea is pretty awesome. I'm trying to grow Salvia coccinea here to feed the hummers. Growing it from seed scattered outdoors and just saw the first blooms today.
ReplyDeleteYou mentioned it's going to get hot where you are? Welcome to our world. We've been sitting in the high 80s and low 90s for weeks now with high humidity to boot. It's been a hot start to summer for sure down south. I'm guessing you don't miss it one bit.
Very impressed with your fuschias and sweet peas too. I remember trying to grow sweet peas one of my first years gardening here in Tennessee. They sure burn up pretty quick in our steamy summers, but looks like it's a good choice for the PNW...
I sure don't miss that weather Aaron!
DeleteWhat gorgeous blooms. I had Kniphofia in my garden before. I don't have enough sun here for them. I love fuchias. I don't believe I have ever seen a blue one, purple, pink, white but not blue, beautiful! And who wouldn't want this tasty Ketchup and Mustard in their garden. Happy GBBD.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful blooms. I tried one Kniphofia and killed it.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a fan of heat, either. At least you got some recent rain...good luck with next week. Our heat came this week--can't wait for a break from it.
I've been a bit obessessed with veronica of late. I've added three blue varieties to my garden thus far and have been tempted by white...I might have to bite now! Happy GBBD!
ReplyDeleteI would not usually buy white but they were free. I do love them though!
DeleteThe vignette of the climbing iceberg is charming.
ReplyDeleteI also have Penstemon 'Pocahontas' - I didn't realize that was it's name - and I love the blooms and leaf color combination: its quite striking. I let the dry seed pods stick round for a while. I don't mind if it reseeds a bit, I get to share with neighbors and friends. BTW, after killing a few Hebes, someone mentioned that the smaller the leaf, the better chance a Hebe will survive a winter; and I found that to be true.
Have I ever told you how much I look forward to reading your posts? I’m quite jealous of your neighbors who get to see it all the time.
ReplyDeleteThank you Robin!
Delete