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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

Signs of Spring and Transplanting a Rhododendron


Things are warming up. The daffodils and hellebores are blooming. The days seem to alternate between sunny and mild and cloudy and colder.

I took advantage of a recent mild and sunny day and transplanted a rhododendron. This one ('Golden Gate') was previously located behind the pergola in the back garden and was pretty much being smothered by other plants -

Unlike some other plants, like the buddleia in the previous post, young rhododendrons are easy to move and the root ball is small -



I've moved it to the front border where it will hopefully be happier and bloom nicer than it did in the previous location. I don't know how many soaker hoses I have destroyed by digging into them. On this go-around, I managed to spot the hose before I plunged the shovel into the ground -



I always place rhododendrons slightly higher than ground level - actually I do this with most plants.


Mission accomplished!



I am still in the process of pruning roses. I got all of the clematis pruned and I hope to get them fertilized tomorrow.

Many perennials are beginning to emerge and need last year's dead growth removed. Case in point - this euphorbia -



I think I heard the plant cheering after I did that.

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. I'm sure you felt cheerful as well after completing those tasks, Phillip. That's a great way to celebrate the start of the spring season!

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  2. Transferring your Rhodi encourages me to move mine, a compact PJM. The big question, as always, is where to...
    Which Euphorbia is featured in the photos above?
    Chavli

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