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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

November HIghlights





I didn't think there was much left to see in the garden but there is. The morning started out with a bit of fog and this beautiful sunrise -


And there are quite a number of colorful trees still going strong and some just beginning to change colors. Some of the first trees I planted were two Japanese maples that are next to the deck. These were unnamed varieties but are nice but quite different in fall color. They both change color very late in the season compared to the other maples in the garden. The one on the right side is redder in color...



 while the one on the left is more orange and gold -



The "Lion's Head" Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum 'Shishigashira') was already planted here when we arrived. I ended up moving it and put it in a large pot. It looks a bit ragged last year but improved this year with more watering. And the color this year is dramatically improved -

Lion's Head Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum 'Shishigashira')


 The Paperbark Maple (Acer griseum), also next to our back deck, is also more colorful this year -

Paperbark Maple (Acer griseum)


The Perisan Parrotia (Ironwood) continues to hold its leaves and I would say it has been the prettiest tree in the garden this fall. The colors are just spectacular.

Persian Parrotia (Ironwood)

 That is about it for the trees. Most of the others have already lost all their leaves. I will highlight some colorful shrubs in the next post.

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. The flowering season is over, and most leafs are gone, but there is always something happening in the garden. Is autumn much different here then in Alabama?

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    Replies
    1. It was very similar. The winters in north Alabama were also similar to here. The major difference are the temperature fluctuations. They tend to lower and rise here on a steady scale while in Alabama it was not unusual to have 60 degree days followed by 20 degree ones.

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  2. A beautiful sunrise photo. These trees still look gorgeous.

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