Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Snow Load

Now I know why architects must calculate the weight of snow on roofs in cold climates. My garden is showing the effects of just one night of wet snow, and it's already melted, not 24 hours later.

The Pampas plumes are broken and the plant is smoothed down like a beehive hairdo.


The Eucalyptus pauciflora ssp. debeuzevilli was already listing. Now it's leaning seriously and I'm wondering what intervention, if any, would help.


 Plants all over the garden are broken and battered.



The worst damage I've found was sustained by the center plant of the three 'Winter's Snowman' camellias I just posted about for Bloom Day. The leader has ripped apart from the middle of the plant.

Now this middle shrub is about half the height of the two on either side of it. So much for privacy for another several years...

At least my grandchildren had some fun with the snow!


Did your Portland area garden survive this snow event better than mine?

14 comments:

  1. Oh no, Jane, that's so sad! I had similar damage...although nothing permanent...but lots of bent and broken stems...I've never seen grasses completely flattened like there were last night...seriously, it's a sloppy mess down here on Rhone Street! I hope your plants will be ok...do you think the Eucalyptus will be ok...it would be such a shame to lose such a lovely plant :-(

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    1. Scott, if I had coppiced the Euc like I should have when it was younger, it might have been better rooted in the ground. Now, I fear it's too late, so I'll get some expert advice on next steps.

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  2. Oh my! I'm so sorry. I saw your snow on weather sites. If it's any consolation, camellias regrow nicely, especially young ones.

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    1. Thanks for the encouraging words, Chris. I'll look forward to it bouncing back after a little judicious pruning.

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  3. Damn! It was crazy wasn't it? There were so many things laying down on the ground around here it was depressing. I was out at 5:30am (prime sleeping time in my book) knocking the snow off with a broom. It would be a shame for you to loose that Eucalyptus, it's gorgeous! And that poor Camellia, I'm so sorry Jane!

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    1. Thank you for the concern, Loree. I wish I had been out there at 5:30, too. It might have helped, but I'll certainly know better next time!

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  4. Ah, that camellia damage is painful to look at. My condolences. After a fall windstorm my Crape Myrtle was knocked over. It's still in that position. I don't want to cut it down because it might still be alive. Weather can be so cruel. I guess it makes us appreciate the nice days.

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    1. Losing a Crape Myrtle would be so much worse, Grace. Fingers crossed that yours comes back in spring!

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  5. We were just out taking inventory and I am about to post the sorry state we found. Seems a shame for your camellias to suffer such a fate after starring in your last post.

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    1. Yes, Ricki, it was a bit of a slap in the face!

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  6. So ...sorry to see all that damage. Your lovely Camellia and that poor Eucalyptus. I simpathize over the privacy setback .

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    1. I remeber well that you and we deal with that same issue. Sometimes we win, sometimes we lose...privacy.

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  7. I forgot to mention before that R built a prop for our Eucalyptus which seems to be working well. I'll take a picture of it and post it soon so you can see...we're hoping to be able to remove it some day, as it's not all that attractive.

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    1. Would love to see that Euc prop. I considered tethering it to the fence and winching it over gradually...but I'm not too sure the fence is up to the task, either.

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