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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

Japanese Silver Grass "Cabaret"

Japanese Silver Grass "Cabaret" (Miscanthus sinensis) - It flops like crazy and gets much larger than I expected. We have been very dry for the past month and need rain really bad. The ornamental grasses, however, do not seem to mind at all.

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. I don't think anything fazes the big grasses. Pretty.

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  2. It drives me crazy when plants flop like that! My Karley Rose grass flops after every rainfall, but quickly pops back up once it dries. But it's strictly a summer grass. The seed heads shatter and don't look like much in winter.

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