The Connie Hansen Garden Conservancy

Head Gardener Report

 

The summer of 2026 has been both rewarding and challenging for the volunteer gardeners; an abundance of unusually warm and sunny weather combined with almost no measurable precipitation resulted in long and productive working days, but in which we also frequently spent many hours either hand watering or modifying inadequate irrigation coverage. However, a recent influx of new volunteers has kept the Garden flourishing and the weeds on the run in many areas, without needing to resort to herbicide applications, for which I am very thankful.

 

You may notice a major improvement to the pond area on your next visit to the Garden; new volunteers Bobby and Shana are bamboo enthusiasts and have put their considerable knowledge and skills to work pruning and highlighting the beauty of this former background plant, now transformed into a feature. Now under consideration – introducing clumping forms of bamboo, such as Fargesia robusta, into some of the newly opened parts of CHG.

 

Unfortunately, we have received news from ODA that recent testing has revealed a recurrence of Phytophthora ramorum on several of the rhododendrons. There might still be some funding available to assist with the removal of affected material, however, we do not know how extensive this current infection is, how long funding will last, or what remediation methods are now recommended or covered.

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Priscilla Patterson

Head Gardener, CHG

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