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When I started this Midwest Gardening Series on my blog---I planned be honest on trying to garden GREEN here in Chicagoland and pretty much what OLDer people can do.
We don't have an infinite bank account, we are in our 70's,
and we are pretty down-to-earth Midwest practical.
So, in this spirit, here is the Ugly Truth!
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| oldnewgreenredo |
Snow is always so pretty, but Chicagoland's heavy wet snow, ice, wind can be lethal combinations.
This was in October????.
We had at least 4 batches of totally ice rainfalls followed by snow last season.
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| oldnewgreenredo |
Our bared cedar birdhouse branches broke---we lost three branches and some of the houses fell off from the weight of the wet snow and ice storms we had. We are taking it down now.
Chicagoland didn't have a severe winter---temperature wise, but more of a rollercoaster ride with wildly fluctuating temperatures, like 70's to 20's in two days-more than once.
We always mound leaves on the flower beds for insulation and then rake off and compost--a GREEN thing to do. I can't tell you how many single bees flew out of the leaves when I finally removed them late this spring.
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| oldnewgreenredo |
Some bushes that seemed to thrive were these lemon barberry bushes. They are thorny and great 'security bushes' for under windows. They are super full this Spring and need of a real trim.
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| oldnewgreenredo |
I was really worried about my clematis--but they just seemed to survive (about half the size) but this one is very sheltered.
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| oldnewgreenredo |
This is a forsythia bush we have to trim at least three times last year,---it's basically dead back to the bottom. At least the new growth is bringing it back.
I wrote before of the 3 huge carts full of debris hauled away from the trees and ice damage. It's not until now--that we see how bad the frost/ice damaged is on our bushes.
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| oldnewgreenredo |
Here is another long established forsythia, that will need a major cutback. About 1/3 is lost, the backside is worse. I'm waiting until some decent growth shows before removing all the dead.
This is a key bush in front of our house. I really missed the flowering this spring---but I think it was just trying to survive.
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| oldnewgreenredo |
Out on the mound by the street is our Tree Rose of Sharon which are basically indestructible
---OMG---it's horrid and trimming will be heavy.
Amazing that crap trees and bushes like mulberry and Japanes elms---survive anything.
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| oldnewgreenredo |
We lost 4 mature (10+years) previously very happy Boxwoods.
I love using their green waxy leaves in arrangements. Early in Spring I read an article that said heavily fertilize, be patient and wait for new growth before trimming. Still waiting.
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| oldnewgreenredo |
Only new is that small branch is down lower right.
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| oldnewgreenredo |
Most obvious is the damage to our deck,
which has had new coating every other year---it's awful now.
This area has shade and snow/ice lingers a long time.
We plan on a totally REDO with composite next year or when the budget allows.
This pot needs a REDO. I didn't get it put away last Fall-because it was frozen in an inch of ice to the deck in October.
RIP our Perrenials deceased in 2018
3 Shasta daisies
3 mini roses
2 roses---think they are only growing off root stock, we shall see.
1-Climbing rose--looks like root stock stems only?
2-4 Black eyed Susans
2 Delphiniums-almost ready to give up on these.
80% of my Hollyhocks
Liatris
1 blueberry plant
3 Heuchera /Coral Bells
a Huge Sage plant
1-very sick looking Peony?
All these had been appropriately covered with leaves, Sigh!
I promise to revisit all plants and bushes and the areas that need attention and see how they respond.
Hopefully in a few weeks, we are still trying to get plantings done.
How's your winter damage showing it's ugly head? Please post your remedies...! Thanks!
Metamorphisis Monday
Happiness is Homemade
Thursday Favorite Things
Friday Favorites
Thank you for your cooperation,
Sandi
Sandi
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