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

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day for October 2018

Snakeroot (Eupatorium rugosum 'Chocolate') and Bear's Breeches (Acanthus mollis)

 I am starting off Bloom Day with one of my favorite plants at the moment - Eupatorium rugosum 'Chocolate' (aka 'Snakeroot'). This is a plant that a co-worker recommended and it is lovely right now in the shady border under the dogwood tree. Next to it is Bear's Breeches (Acanthus mollis) which is also beginning to look good but it hasn't bloomed yet).

Other bloomers in the mid-October garden -

My favorite coreopsis - 'Red Satin'



Aster lateriflorus 'Prince' is completely smothered in blooms



Agastache 'Electric Punch'



Helenium 'Bishop'



Colchicum (Autumn Crocus) - I love these. There were two clumps already here when we moved in. They are in a bad spot though and I want to transplant them.



Peruvian Lily (Altromeria 'Colorita Kate')


Begonias


Rudbeckia fulgida 'Little Goldstar')



Salvia 'Amistad'



Salvia 'Hot Lips'

Skip Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus 'Schipkaensis')



Aconitum 'Tall Blue' (Monkshood)

Fleabane (Erigeron)

 

Gardener Blogger's Bloom Day, hosted by May Dreams Gardens, is the place to see what is blooming in gardens across the United States. Check out the blog for a list of links.

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy




Comments

  1. Phillip, years ago I visited your blog in Alabama a few times. It's nice to see that you are still blogging. I used to have Hot Lips years ago, but she didn't do well with our heat and wind. Yours looks quite happy, though, and that begonia is really something special!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It seems to be a plant that does better as the season progresses. It starts looking really good around August and September.

      Delete
  2. I love all those shades of purple!
    Happy Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Looks great! I really like your Agastache. We had some at our old house and it was a great plant.

    ReplyDelete
  4. You have one of the prettiest gardens in the blog kingdom - well-grown colorful plants, seasonal interest. It's always enjoyable to see what you've got.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Still so many blooms in your garden. Impressive. I'm particularly envious of your Agastache 'Electric Punch'; I've tried to grow it several times with no luck. The color variation from orange to bright pink reminds me of sherbet ice cream.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I got it at the Plant Swap and just stuck it in a really awful place and forgot about it until I found it blooming later. I have lost several of them but this one seems to be happy.

      Delete
  6. I love that coreopsis. I need, really need, to get a red one for my garden. Coreopsis is such a non-stop plant once it starts blooming.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I had never had luck with coreopsis in our former garden but it grows like crazy here!

      Delete
  7. I recall following your Alabama garden, Phillip - this one must be such a different experience for you. I'm in love with your asters, which I have a hard time growing in SoCal. I wish I could grow Salvia 'Amistad' too but despite multiple attempts, I've yet to get it to survive more than a single season.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kris, 'Amistad' is an annual here too. I like it so much that I buy one if I can find it.

      Delete
  8. I love begonias but they don't ever look as good as this one. I haven't found an agastache that does well in my garden either. Hmmmmm. All looks so pretty. Happy GBBD.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lisa, I have to give Michael credit for the begonias. They are in pots and he cares for them. He waters and fertilizes on a set schedule. He is meticulous about it!

      Delete
  9. Hi Phillip, I recently searched for Eupatorium rugosum 'Chocolate', hoping to add it to my own garden. No luck locally. If I want it I will have to order it. Glad to see how lovely it looks in your space. I also love that red coreopsis!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Gorgeous, what a joy! I think you need a greenhouse--imagine begonias that perfect year round...

    ReplyDelete
  11. What a wondrous variety of colors!! Wow!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular Posts