Casualties and Near Misses

Before I show the ugly, we can look at the pretty. Camassia leichtlinii is blooming in two spots. The best-looking one is the one planted alongside the street. This is a plant that likes wet areas although neither of mine are located in particularly wet spots.

By most accounts, this winter was a tough one with colder temperatures and several heavy snows. Portland received a particularly bad ice event although Vancouver was spared from that. 

Looking around the garden, I really can't complain. There are only a few plant deaths that I've noticed.

Some plants are not completely dead and in the case of Clematis montana 'Freda', I think I might be jumping the gun. It sure looks dead but when I started to cut it out, I noticed a few green stems underneath and many of the dead-looking growth feels soft. However, there is a noticeable amount of dead wood. In looking at previous year's posts, I see that it is usually in bloom later in May. We've had a slow warm-up this Spring so perhaps it is a bit behind. I will know soon.

Last year around this time - 

Close by the clematis is Dierema dracomontanum, commonly known as "Angel's Fishing Rod". This is just another "near-death" situation and the plant is actually fine.  I've never had a good place to put this plant but last year it actually bloomed. I'm considering moving it again. It is just not in a good location. The sad truth is that there is really not a good spot anywhere in the garden for this plant. It wants a lot of space.

Here it is in 2019 at Joy Creek Nursery -

Grevillea juniperina 'Low Red' - lots of die-back on this one which I've cut out. This is planted by the street and has performed well in the past. This is one of Michael's favorites. I am trying more grevellias in other parts of the garden. 

And finally, poor Hebe 'Sunset Boulevard'. Hebes have always been iffy and I've killed my fair share. Some are certainly hardier than others. I have to confess that I wanted this one because of the name (I'm a big fan of the movie) but it surprised me with fast, vigorous growth and beautiful blooms. Sadly, it appears that about 80% of it is now dead. This one will likely have to go. I plan to cut away the dead first and then make a decision.

Hebe 'Sunset Boulevard' in happier days -

So, out of all of these, there is just one that appears to be a probable loss (the hebe). A few others, like the grevillea will be a "wait and see" situation. 

I think we have fared rather well despite the harsh winter. How did your garden fare?

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy