Well, it is happening again. Today the temperature reached 100, tomorrow's high is 104-107 depending on who you listen to and Friday will be over 100 as well. This isn't quite the historical 112 degrees that we received earlier (Portland was even higher) but it is enough to be distressed about.
I opted to be cautious so I've covered my plants that suffered the most the last time this happened. The garden looks like ghostly ghouls are visiting. The Stewartia pseudocamellia tree (top photo) was the most difficult to cover because of its height. I should have given this tree a shadier location. If this kind of thing continues, I might consider moving it or replacing it altogether.
Another biggie is the Spanish Fir (Abies pinsapo) in the northeast corner of the front garden. It had some tip damage from the last inferno. The smaller plants around it are both barberries. Berberis calliantha on the left was hit particularly hard and is slowly recovering.
The Wheel Tree (Trochodendron araliodes) was another victim and although it has quickly gained new leaves, it does not like the heat or sun.
And finally, a few dwarf conifers - Picea abies 'Pusch' (not shown) and Picea orientalis 'Tom Thumb' (below) -
One day down, two to go!
Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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