Skip to main content

Featured

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

Thomas Vetter's Garden


 
Thomas Vetter's garden has been on my radar for some time. A few weeks ago, I finally got the chance to see it and it is in a word - FABULOUS! It was raining and the plants were weighted down with moisture so I do want to return on a drier day. Fortunately, Mr. Vetter opens his garden on numerous occasions throughout the Open Gardens program.


His garden is packed with beautiful plants in lovely combinations with contrasting textures. There are a lot of plants in this garden and he has displayed them in the most artistic ways. This is the garden I strive for and he used many of my favorite plants too. And what a nice guy - accompanying me in the rain with my mouth hanging open and kindly answering questions. This is a great garden to visit on the HPSO Open Gardens Tour. It will be open again on August 13th.



Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. What a sumptuous garden. I can see why you would want to emulate this. I would too. The layers, colors, textures all lure you in and captivate.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Beautiful plants beautifully displayed. He clearly has an eye for design.

    ReplyDelete
  3. His is one of my favorite gardens too! Thomas REALLY knows his plants. Beautiful post, and reminds me that I must get back out there. It seems like years ago.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular Posts