It is time to take a look back at the garden year of 2022. Normally, I post one favorite photo from every month. However, in looking back through my photos, I see that I didn't take many photos in January, February or even March. Of course, things really do not get going here until late April and May...
Once again, it was a year of extreme weather events. In April, we got 7 inches of snow. This was another record - the Portland/Vancouver area has never had a snowfall like this in April. It was a heavy, wet snow that really did a number on trees in the area. We did not have too much damage, thanks to me running around the garden shaking branches with a broom. The Strawberry Tree was damaged and still doesn't look good. We lost another branch last week when the ice came.
April
After the snow cleared, we got a freak hail shower that covered the ground in white again...
May
There is usually a winter project (although not this year) and last January, we had our deck floor and railings rebuilt. It would be May before things dried out enough to start staining it.
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| Michael staining the new deck rails in May. |
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| I could not find a photo of the entire deck but here you can see the new railing. The floor is a Trex-like composite. It is a vast improvement over the old floor, which was deteriorating. |
We have discovered that the floor of the larger deck underneath the pergola gets wet and doesn't dry out during the winter, probably due to it being in a shaded area as well as the constant moisture. It is also difficult to keep the leaves cleared. So, this year, we bought a large tarp to cover it and see if that helps. Michael sanded it down and applied a new coat of stain.
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| A new coat of stain on the pergola floor. |
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| I wanted to replace the old plastic border around the grassy area in the Pan garden. I used pavers and got this done in May. |
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| Evening sunset over the front garden |
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| A fresh layer of mulch and getting ready for the first Open Garden days. |
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| May is for rhododendrons - this is 'Anah Kruschke' along with the Japanese maple 'Shaina'. |
June
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| The roses begin to bloom in very late May and peak during June. This is 'Climbing Pinkie' over the pergola. |
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| The rambler rose 'Phyllis Bide' |
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| On the front gate, 'Dublin Bay' climbing rose along with lupine. |
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| The borders in the front garden |
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| Streetside border |
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Cotula 'Tiffindell Gold' (Gold Buttons),
Carex 'Bowles Golden' and Verbena |
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If June is for roses, then July is for hydrangea.
This is 'Twist N' Shout'. |
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| 'Essex' rose and lavender |
August
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In August, the colors are a bit duller and the garden
gets a looser and more wilder look. |
September
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| One of the terrace beds with Phormium 'Rainbow Queen', Persicaria 'Golden Arrow', Hydrangea 'Pistachio' under the 'Wolf's Eyes' Dogwood |
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Hydrangea 'Little Quick Fire' and coleus in a
large pot on the terrace steps. |
October
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| A foggy morning in October |
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Late October and the fall color begins
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November
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There is still color in November but the leaves
are beginning to fall. |
December
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| Ornamental grasses and phormium looking good in early December |
And here we are at the end of December and this year, it is wetter and it has been colder than last year. We've already had snow and an ice event at Christmas. Weather is always fascinating and who knows what January and February will bring? They can be bleak months but there is always that morning in March when the early morning sun looks brighter and new green shoots are sprouting on the limbs. It is always a thrill...
Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
Comments
I wish you both a wonderful year and joyous time spent in the garden.
Chavli