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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

Garden Blogger's Bloom Day May 2020

Dogwood 'Celestial Shadow'


Greetings from the May garden where there are so many blooms at the moment, I'm not sure where to begin. I think I will share the miscellaneous blooms for now and save the roses and rhododendrons for a future post. The weather has been cool and wet for the most part although we did have a hot weekend one week ago.

I know I said I would save rhododendron images for a later date but I have to share azalea 'Mandarin Lights' - it has been spectacular -

Azalea 'Mandarin Lights'



An unknown columbine



A good groundcover for hot and dry spots - Helianthemum 'Henfield Brilliant' (Sun Rose)



This little plant came from Far Reaches Farm last year.
It is Horminum pyenaicum, aka "Dragon's Mouth".




Libertia 'Amazing Grace' (New Zealand iris)



Parahebe perfoliata


Lithodora - a true blue groundcover. When this is blooming,
we cannot keep it in stock at the nursery.

A native plant - Salal (Gaulthoria shallon)


Geum 'Banana Daiquiri'



Zenbobia pulverulenta 'Raspberry'



Physocarpus opulifolius 'Amber Jubilee' (Ninebark)



Erysimum linifolium 'Bowles Mauve' (Wallflower)


Ceanothus (California Lilac) 'Black Diamond'


And I can't resist at least one rose -

Rose 'Dublin Bay' and lavender


Gardener's Bloom Day is hosted by May Dreams Gardens. You can go there to find links to other blogger's websites all over the world. 

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. Wonderful--many plants that won't grow in my region. Gorgeous dogwood and Ceanothus. Looking forward to your rose photos. That last one is lovely.

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  2. Marvellous blooms.Is Helianthemum is a variety of portulaca it seems quite similar to them .

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  3. You have so many plants I'd love to grow and can't. I'm tempted by that yellow Geum but I've been babying another variety for 3 years now with no more than a few blooms each season so it's on the verge of being yanked. I fell in love with the Horminum pyenaicum on sight and will have to look into its heat and drought tolerance.

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  4. Gosh, it looks sooo amazing. Everything seems really mature, too. I love that Helianthemum, such a great sun plant. Happy gardening!

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  5. Beautiful dogwood. And very robust blooms on the lavender, as well as a unique flower.

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  6. Sunroses are so pretty, but I've never been able to keep them alive.

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  7. Celestial Shadow is such a gorgeous tree. I have had mine about 3 years. It has ONE bloom on it. I can't figure out why???? It might be that it doesn't get enough light. I am going to show this picture of yours to it to make it jealous so it will bloom more. That is all I know to do to encourage more blooms. ;) I can see why people want that blue blooming ground cover. Your garden has outstanding blooms this month. Spring is wonderful isn't it. Happy GBBD.

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    Replies
    1. Lisa, it may just need more time. This one puts out more blooms each year. This year I've seen more than ever. The first years, not that many. One other thing you might try is threaten it with eviction if it doesn't perform the next year. I swear that works!

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    2. Ha ha, I have used the latter from time to time and I too think it works. I am hopeful that this tree starts performing better now. When I bought it it was during a drought year. Then we had a couple more drought years. Now things are sort of getting back to normal. I am hoping it will respond. It even lost some of it's color in the leaves. I thought it was going to die but it has held on. I do baby it a little. I am sure it has helped too.

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  8. What a wide variety of fabulous colors and shapes and sizes!


    Feel free to share at My Corner of the World

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