tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-665807378090241608.comments2024-03-28T13:31:17.000-07:00 Chickadee GardensChickadee Gardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00698323800314994028noreply@blogger.comBlogger7831125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-665807378090241608.post-15556295756833160572024-03-28T12:46:43.215-07:002024-03-28T12:46:43.215-07:00I really loved this post, it's like walking th...I really loved this post, it's like walking through your garden. My phormium looks just like yours. It does not help that it is front and center of my garden ;)))<br />Thank you for sharing your Pachyphragma macrophyllum, it is thriving in my garden this year.Svetlanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03496725386908940019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-665807378090241608.post-59282037969306707012024-03-22T11:38:01.955-07:002024-03-22T11:38:01.955-07:00I hope your hebe pulls through, it's so pretty...I hope your hebe pulls through, it's so pretty when happy. But....it's also ok to yank something that isn't bringing joy. Thanks for your feedback, Denise! Cheers.Chickadee Gardenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00698323800314994028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-665807378090241608.post-33500531999226296262024-03-20T10:00:30.550-07:002024-03-20T10:00:30.550-07:00My parviflora ssp angust. is a much thinner shrub ...My parviflora ssp angust. is a much thinner shrub but still alive and sprouting at the base. I really hate the sight of struggling plants in this small garden but will give this stunner a summer to work things out...or not. Great hebe report, thanks!Denisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13048985060349929026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-665807378090241608.post-9730513180776596792024-03-20T09:52:02.378-07:002024-03-20T09:52:02.378-07:00Hi Chavli, yes, I have found that 'Quicksilver...Hi Chavli, yes, I have found that 'Quicksilver' responds well to a little haircut from time to time if necessary. I wonder about your 'Purpurea Nana' - is it in a lot of shade by chance? Interesting....and the H. cupressoides is definitely a favorite. Propagating is not difficult at all, I took cuttings in I believe October and nearly all took. Chickadee Gardenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00698323800314994028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-665807378090241608.post-70302271858798257382024-03-19T07:30:34.690-07:002024-03-19T07:30:34.690-07:00I started with your previous Hebe survey (from 202...I started with your previous Hebe survey (from 2021) then moved on to reading this one. I too love Hebe: the hardy ones are so easy and care free. 'Quick Silver' is a favorite, even though it's not looking as full and lovely as yours. I think the trick may be regular light pruning (and more sun). <br />Last year I planted H. 'Purpurea Nana' isn't looking as fabulous as I envisioned. The magnificent colors on that one gets it one more season to fulfill its promise before I move on.<br />One of the favorites from your garden is Hebe cupressoides! The color and texture is fabulous. I will try to locate the dwarf variety of that beauty.<br />How difficult/easy is propagating Hebe? <br />ChavliAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-665807378090241608.post-50313706833509531622024-03-16T11:25:03.475-07:002024-03-16T11:25:03.475-07:00Me too, Jerry...hebes forever! So the verticillium...Me too, Jerry...hebes forever! So the verticillium wilt - someone in the nursery trade told me that's what it was - that hebes are susceptible. But I think you are probably spot-on with your possibilities - I'll look up the article, and yes, go ahead and post a link, no issues with comments. Thank you Jerry!Chickadee Gardenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00698323800314994028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-665807378090241608.post-28583046106319099552024-03-16T11:22:42.633-07:002024-03-16T11:22:42.633-07:00Oh, good to know, Erik! Thank you for the tip. Tha...Oh, good to know, Erik! Thank you for the tip. That's amazing! After 10 years? Wow. Plants are incredible. The root ball is not in the way so I'll leave it no matter what. I'll post an update if anything changes. Thanks again!Chickadee Gardenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00698323800314994028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-665807378090241608.post-9401681146359244562024-03-16T11:21:44.077-07:002024-03-16T11:21:44.077-07:00Thank you TZ! Yes, I realize where I live we are b...Thank you TZ! Yes, I realize where I live we are blessed with outstanding nurseries. I wish every region were as fortunate as we are.Chickadee Gardenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00698323800314994028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-665807378090241608.post-84655233402089885152024-03-16T11:20:47.423-07:002024-03-16T11:20:47.423-07:00That's a fine question, Kris. I don't know...That's a fine question, Kris. I don't know - I mean Joy Creek Nursery where I worked was known for having a lot, which we did, and that's partly because the Oregon State University conducted a field study and invited people in the trade to take cuttings, which we did. Also Xera Plants here in Portland has a lovely selection. Maybe they like too much water for your climate? But it sounds like you have some outstanding cultivars, ones we can't grow here.Chickadee Gardenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00698323800314994028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-665807378090241608.post-46092727730093956572024-03-16T11:18:35.556-07:002024-03-16T11:18:35.556-07:00Too bad, Gina. That arctic wind! Yes, your climate...Too bad, Gina. That arctic wind! Yes, your climate is much harsher. Smart to stick to conifers and deciduous things, less heartache. xo<br />Chickadee Gardenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00698323800314994028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-665807378090241608.post-88857581428292978522024-03-16T09:45:55.216-07:002024-03-16T09:45:55.216-07:00Wow, you have a lot of different hebes! No matter ...Wow, you have a lot of different hebes! No matter what their scientific name, these will always be hebes to me. Some of my favorites. Hebe pinguifolia 'Sutherlandii', H. buxifolia, H. cupressoides, H. ochracea, and H. pimelioides all do well for me. Hebe Red Edge melted this winter though. Nice to see them all at a more mature size in your garden. I will be very interested to see how well your hebe responds to the hard pruning. Hebe Wingletye is a new one for me, love it's low spreading habit. Did you actually get a diagnosis of verticillium on your hebes? I've done quite a bit of pathology work on them and have only ever found charcoal rot (Macrophomina phaseolina) or Fusarium dieback to be a problem. They would both cause the same symptoms that you describe. There is a Digger article on charcoal rot that I wrote back in Nov 2022, but I didn't link to it in case that causes issues with the comment box.Jerryhttps://botanicachaotica.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-665807378090241608.post-78594066207035838832024-03-16T09:37:50.312-07:002024-03-16T09:37:50.312-07:00Tamara, don't give up on that Hebe parviflora ...Tamara, don't give up on that Hebe parviflora ssp. angustifolia. I had a large, Nandina Plum Passion, that had been in ground for nearly a decade when the snap, hard freeze of 2010 came along and killed it. Or so I thought. 3 years ago, to my surprise, I noticed a growth from where I had left the root ball. It has now returned to nearly the size it was when it was cut down by the cold. I had no idea, a plant could return nearly ten years after its apparent death. So, if the root ball of your hebe isn't in the way and you don't disturb it, you may have it back sooner than you realize! ErikAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-665807378090241608.post-73164099293182153422024-03-14T15:35:40.193-07:002024-03-14T15:35:40.193-07:00Hebes are hard to come by here as well. You have ...Hebes are hard to come by here as well. You have a lovely array of them, they look lovely.tz_gardenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06564279002410582922noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-665807378090241608.post-64695466694790305322024-03-14T11:52:16.686-07:002024-03-14T11:52:16.686-07:00My immediate question upon reading your post was: ...My immediate question upon reading your post was: when there are so many Hebes, why don't my local garden centers carry more of them? I have 4 varieties, all apparently hybrids as they're missing species epithets. I lost a few Hebe speciosa 'Variegata' years ago but 'Wiri Blush' (planted in 2013), 'Purple Shamrock', 'Grace Kelly' and my most recent acquisitions, 'Autumn Glory', are thriving (although 'Grace' seems intent on shedding some of its variegation). Of course, cold hardiness isn't really an issue here.Kris Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07097260283693156795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-665807378090241608.post-1632391021168870192024-03-14T08:52:00.107-07:002024-03-14T08:52:00.107-07:00Oh, Hebes. I so wanted you to like me. But alas, ...Oh, Hebes. I so wanted you to like me. But alas, nope. The arctic wind is just too much. I've lost every one in the last two winters. The only one that may be still alive is Sussex Carpet, and I think that's only because it grows so low to the ground and was covered by leaves and other plant debris it was completely out of the wind. The rest are burnt toast. Yours look so great! I'm very happy you found a great group for your garden to enjoy! I will stick with conifers and deciduous things. Fernhavenhttps://fernhaven.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-665807378090241608.post-54259337098653921732024-03-03T10:48:10.534-08:002024-03-03T10:48:10.534-08:00You are certainly no weirdo Jerry, au contraire. I...You are certainly no weirdo Jerry, au contraire. I don't mind the long extended spring, it's the snow I'm looking at out my window right now that I mind. Ugg! It seems that winter gets longer every year, that's my complaint, really. The thrill of newly emerging flowers is such a great joy. I get it about hot, dry, brown, smoky - that's certainly no fun. Browns and frowns....I might steal that. Misery does love company, Jerry. Cheers to us! Chickadee Gardenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00698323800314994028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-665807378090241608.post-72229439117928768972024-03-03T10:45:40.201-08:002024-03-03T10:45:40.201-08:00Oh, yes, I looove spreading mulch and fresh gravel...Oh, yes, I looove spreading mulch and fresh gravel, it is very gratifying, you are right Chavli. And those brunnera. Those leaves! I had a few seedlings that I lifted and planted in other areas of the shade garden to have more. I get giddy too when I see such treasures pop up. Now if the snow would stop, I'd be more giddy. Happy spring to you too! Chickadee Gardenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00698323800314994028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-665807378090241608.post-89202805840089779942024-03-03T10:43:46.405-08:002024-03-03T10:43:46.405-08:00Hi rjprice, thank you for your comments! The nasty...Hi rjprice, thank you for your comments! The nasty bits are certainly part of gardening. Lately we've all had such blows to our gardens that I feel it's important to share experiences so we can plan for resiliency and joy. Your Eucalyptus gunnii, wow, no idea! My friend and former boss Maurice of Joy Creek has high hopes for my eucalyptus noting how resilient they are - so perhaps yours will spring back to life? It sounds like there's hope. Daisy bush - do you mean Olearia dartonii? If so, mine actually had a lot of foliage die off this year, first time, but I think it too will be fine. The agave leaves, I leave them until they completely dry out in summer and usually they'll be covered up by then as the agave grows but if not I cut them off when crispy and dry. Your bottle brush - it too could come back, which one is it?Chickadee Gardenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00698323800314994028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-665807378090241608.post-83231627349063576542024-03-02T17:37:16.322-08:002024-03-02T17:37:16.322-08:00Hmm, I for one must be a complete weirdo because I...Hmm, I for one must be a complete weirdo because I don't terribly mind our long, extended springs here in Oregon. Of course, I am comparing that to the Februarys and Marches of Wisconsin, where it was frozen solid, or to those of New Mexico, where it was windy and brown. I love, love, love seeing new flowers emerging for months on end. My least favorite time of year here is late Summer, August and September. Hot, dry, brown, smoky, and feeling anxiety about fire and water availability. I am sad to hear about the shoulder, but glad it has improved. I've got a similar winter round of browns and frowns in our garden over at Botanica Chaotica. Misery loves company!<br />Jerryhttps://botanicachaotica.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-665807378090241608.post-82516106288057343582024-03-02T14:41:45.377-08:002024-03-02T14:41:45.377-08:00Feel no guilt for leaving the mulch-spreading to F...Feel no guilt for leaving the mulch-spreading to FM: it's one of the most instantly gratification garden chore I can think of.<br />Arctostaphylos and bumble bees go so well together. That's a great idea to replace struggling shrubs and trees with more Arctostaphylos! (Because one never have too many, and one can only take so much agony of winter damage).<br />Dryopteris sieboldii, licorice fern and both saxifrage you featured: some of the heroes in my winter garden too. I divided Brunerea jack frost and it's volunteers everywhere I could: I get giddy when they respond to the longer days and start coming up.<br />Envious of your Daphne odora. (It didn't make it in my garden).<br />Happy Spring!<br />ChavliAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-665807378090241608.post-65990271136514216012024-03-01T17:23:17.186-08:002024-03-01T17:23:17.186-08:00Thank you for showing your nasty bits along with t...Thank you for showing your nasty bits along with the successes. I am sad that a few of our similar 2-3 year old plants aren't looking as good. I had a Eucalyptus gunnii (potted) not make it through the summer )overwater? too hot a pot? there is new growth at the soil level around the trunk though! Our daisy bush looks toast but will hope for the best. What do you do with the low agave rotted leaves? And our bottle brush is brown as can be. Lovely plants! rjpricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00190408228792918324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-665807378090241608.post-90249033080625192792024-03-01T11:16:08.330-08:002024-03-01T11:16:08.330-08:00Don't they go through our heads every friggin&...Don't they go through our heads every friggin' year? Has it been years since we've had a super mild winter? I can't recall. Sorry about your arcto blooms, that is unfortunate. I think mine were a little delayed as I'm a touch colder than you are in PDX which probably saved them. I hope there's gardening weather ahead, but as I type it's snowing like crazy and sticking on March 1. Not unheard of but unwelcome nonetheless.Chickadee Gardenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00698323800314994028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-665807378090241608.post-71180952585435835422024-03-01T11:14:21.486-08:002024-03-01T11:14:21.486-08:00Yay, hooray, huzzah for bumbles! There were SO MAN...Yay, hooray, huzzah for bumbles! There were SO MANY those couple of warmish days, Amy - it was a bumble convention and a delight to witness. <br /><br />You too could have crystals in your tendons. Sounds like a commercial. But it's a real thing, as odd as it sounds.Chickadee Gardenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00698323800314994028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-665807378090241608.post-83829000135454907862024-03-01T11:12:47.677-08:002024-03-01T11:12:47.677-08:00I am pretty happy with the garden in February gene...I am pretty happy with the garden in February generally speaking, though as I type this and look out my window it's snowing like crazy. Hope is what we gardeners have in abundance. We have to or we'd never do it.<br /><br />I too am glad I don't need surgery. Whew! Chickadee Gardenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00698323800314994028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-665807378090241608.post-90280764938033972172024-03-01T11:10:44.463-08:002024-03-01T11:10:44.463-08:00Signs of spring keep me sane, Elaine. Yes, there&#...Signs of spring keep me sane, Elaine. Yes, there's something to be said about planting plants that go completely dormant in winter, i.e. deciduous trees, shrubs and perennials. It seems so many of us gardeners have shoulder issues, no wonder with the amount of strain we place on ourselves. Thanks for the reminder to be thoughtful and careful with posture, that's half the battle. Chickadee Gardenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00698323800314994028noreply@blogger.com