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

The Winter Pruning Begins

 

I usually wait until the end of February to cut back the ornamental grasses and prune the roses but the mild temperatures that we'd had so far this year prompted me to get a head start. Of course, after I begin, we get a threat of real winter weather headed this way later in the week. 

I started cutting back some of the ornamental grasses but only finished some of the smaller ones. The largest that I cut back was Miscanthus 'Fire Dragon'. I use a bungee cord to tie around the grass and then use my hedge trimmers to cut them off. It makes it tidier to clean up.





Still to go are some of the larger grasses but I will wait a few weeks before tackling those. The biggest grass in the garden is Miscanthus 'Gold Bar'. I think it still looks spectacular.

Miscanthus 'Gold Bar'

Also Panicum virgatum 'Shenandoah' is a favorite. There are several of these outside the fence near the street.

Panicum virgatum 'Shenandoah'

Miscanthus 'Little Miss' was a standout in autumn -

Miscanthus 'Little Miss'

 

Pennisetum 'Red Head' was nice last year as was 'Red Buttons' (in the top photo).

Pennisetum 'Red Head'

Last but not least is Calamagrostis 'Overdam' which is such a useful plant for narrow spaces.

Calamagrostis 'Overdam'

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. You have a lot of great ornamental grasses, Phillip. I'm going to try your bungee cord approached to cutting back my Pennisetums this year, although I'll probably leave them alone through the end of the month - not that winter cold is a big factor here.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I usually wait too. I actually only cut a few of them back this week.

      Delete
  2. I must remember the bungee cord for next year. Since winter was mild, I too felt being pulled into the garden to do minor trimming and cleaning... and wouldn't you know it, a cold front is upon us; better now than in mid March.
    I planted Miscanthus 'Gold Bar' one year, I loved the blooms that reminded me of papyrus, but it expanded so much I took it out. I now have my eyes on Calamagrostis 'Overdam', appreciating its narrow habit.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I always think of that commercial that I saw as a child with the woman saying "It's not nice to fool Mother Nature".

      Delete
  3. I must remember the bungee cord for next year. Since winter was mild, I too felt being pulled into the garden to do minor trimming and cleaning... and wouldn't you know it, a cold front is upon us; better now than in mid March.
    I planted Miscanthus 'Gold Bar' one year, I loved the blooms that reminded me of papyrus, but it expanded so much I took it out. I now have my eyes on Calamagrostis 'Overdam', appreciating its narrow habit.

    ReplyDelete
  4. or is it calamagrostis-karl-forester?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 'Overdam' is very similar to 'Karl Forester' but has some variegation to the foliage.

      Delete
  5. Your grasses are quite the winter wonders. It is good that you don't prune them all at once. They still seem to be looking good.

    ReplyDelete
  6. The bungee cord was a great idea. You have a choice collection of grasses.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Much still looks good. I start cutting back plants in the winter when they start breaking and if I have decent weather. This year, lots of warm days let me get everything trimmed after some crazy wind beat up what was left.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular Posts