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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

A 2020 Calendar

Do we really need a retrospective of 2020? In most cases, no, but a look back at the garden is always a good thing.

JANUARY - A spur of the moment project last winter was a twig fence that I made along the back border of the garden. It has held up well and I'm still adding twigs when I can get them. There is a small area on the west side that could use more. I would like to go back and refine it but for now, it serves the purpose of screening the houses behind us and the birds love it.


FEBRUARY - I did not have many photos to choose from for February. I decided to include this because it shows the area that I am working on at the moment. I'm putting in a low retaining wall along the border to the right. And the grass path is being narrowed.

 

MARCH - On March 14th, we got a few inches of snow.

 

APRIL - What a difference one month makes! This was taken on Earth Day, April 22. It is looking across the front garden from the front door.

 

MAY brings the lupines.

 

JUNE - The border along the street in front.

 

JULY - The wall that divides the courtyard from the Pan Garden (just completed in June).

 

AUGUST - Looking out the window at the courtyard

 

SEPTEMBER - Mid-September was scary with a wind storm followed by smoke from nearby wildfires.


OCTOBER - The most pleasant surprise this year was the Spanish Flag vine (Ipomoea lobata). I grew it from seed and I'm notoriously bad at that. The blooms on this vine were just incredible.


 

NOVEMBER - The fall color didn't kick in until November. This is Acer palmatum 'Osakazuki'.
 

 

DECEMBER - Osmanthus 'Goshiki' shows the promise of a new and better year.

 

 Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. I enjoyed the overview of the year in your garden. When I saw the twig fence my first thought was that the birds must love that. I am so jealous of your fuchsia and lupines!

    The view of the courtyard is gorgeous.

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    1. Thank you! It is fun to be able to grow fuchsias and lupines. We both know they don't like the southern climate.

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  2. It's all beautiful, Phillip. Such a change from when you moved in. Congratulations.

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  3. I do love an annual retrospective. I adore the twig fence as much now as I did in January. Although snow makes for a beautiful photo opportunities, I'm perfectly happy without it. The snow photo
    made me think it could be fun to take a photo from the exact same spot in the garden once a month, to show its transformation through the seasons.

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  4. Gorgeous photos of your garden Phillip. You will enjoy the extra space your short wall will provide. I hope your shoulder is holding up painlessly. I love that blue wall. It is so striking.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Lisa, hopefully I can get back on that project soon.

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  5. The purple wall fronted by lupines is just a gorgeous image Phillip, here's to a good year in the garden!

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  6. Such a beautiful garden! All the best for 2021!

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  7. Every shot is spectacular, Phillip. Your garden is a paradise and I'm sure it provided both refuge and comfort in 2020. Best wishes for 2021!

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  8. Beautiful garden. That March photo is magical with everything blanketed in snow. And thank you for posting about the Spanish flag vine. I saw this plant on a trip to Wisconsin this fall, but did not know what the name of the plant was. It is beautiful.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Angie - the vine was new to me. I will be planting it again next year for sure.

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  9. How on earth did you manage to stick with one photo to represent each month, when you have so many amazing plants? Loved walking through the year with you!

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