Category Archives: Announcement

WELCOME TO HAS GARDENS

Image

We are celebrating our 3rd place win in the 2025 AAS Display Garden Landscape Design Challenge “S.T.E.A.M. in the Garden”!

“The Horticultural Art Society (HAS) successfully integrated STEAM principles into their public garden by developing structured, interactive educational activities. The design included a Garden Library with an AAS Infographic and multi-level Scavenger Hunts, alongside raised plant troughs demonstrating square foot and companion gardening (Math/Science) and water-saving irrigation (Engineering). To promote ecological awareness, a functional worm box and a pollinator house offered hands-on learning. Art was emphasized through recycled material sculptures and creatively painted elements. These dynamic, educational features have notably increased visitor engagement, especially among young children, promoting sustainable living and environmental stewardship throughout the community.”

2025 Annual Meeting and Silent Auction Success!

It was wonderful to enjoy the company of fellow HAS members at our 2025 Annual Meeting.  The meeting flew by with fellowship, “shopping” amongst the silent auction items and plants, a recap of all of our hard work over the past year by our President Erin Eisen and an informative and humorous presentation from Dianne Reitan of Dianne’s Dahlias.  

Volunteer of the Year is Chris Stribley. Chris has been a long-time, dedicated weekly volunteer with HAS and is a big contributor to the work we accomplish in the gardens.  She always has a smile and doesn’t shy away from any garden task.

The Henry Cannell Founders award went to two people this year – Susan Flynn and Tracy Pedrick, who you may recognize as the garden coordinators for the Heritage Garden. Susie and Tracy have tirelessly managed our Heritage Garden through two years without irrigation due to the work the city was performing on Duck Lake. Managing the garden in and of itself is a big task, but extra praise is deserved in managing it through such a difficult period of time.

 Dianne Reitan from Dianne’s Dahlias shared her journey to becoming a major dahlia grower in the Pikes Peak Region and why we should grow dahlias even though they are divas. She had us learning, lusting after the beautiful blooms, and laughing during her very enjoyable presentation. We very daringly tried a new venue, new catering, and a new silent auction format this year. It can be a challenge to balance a great experience while also being cost-effective. The feedback we heard at the event, as well as in the post-event survey, indicates the changes have been viewed in a very positive way. 

Help Beautify Our Gardens

We’re seeking gardening volunteers to help maintain our gardens.
No experience is necessary; any amount of time you can spare is greatly appreciated. We provide training and orientation, so don’t worry if you’re new to gardening. We believe everyone has unique gifts to share, and we’d love for you to be part of our team. Join us in nurturing our green spaces and fostering community growth!
Make new friends, have fun, breathe fresh air, and contribute to the growth of horticulture in the Pikes Peak region. HAS runs on volunteer power and you as a helper can learn much about gardening from local gardeners.

Come for just an hour or stay for all 3 hours. We are flexible and want you to enjoy your time in the garden.
Tuesday or Thursday Volunteers-Starting in April, join the HAS Gardener and
volunteers on Tuesdays or Thursdays, 9:00 – 12:00 to help in the Demonstration garden.
Work may include planting, weeding, raking, and other activities.

Wednesday Volunteers- Starting in April, join the HAS Gardener and others on
Wednesday mornings from 9:00 – 12:00, to help in the Heritage Garden. Work may
include planting, weeding, raking, and other activities. In case of wet or cold weather,
volunteering may be canceled.

If you would like to get outdoors and help, sign up to volunteer here. Our gardening season for 2025 is over. Check back in March 2026.

Winter Tree Care

by Gaye Woullard, HAS Trustee

This is a summary of a presentation by Arborist Jordan Copeland at our 2024 annual meeting:

Jordan emphasizes proactive care for trees to enhance their role in converting CO₂ to O₂, reducing energy costs, and providing natural wildlife habitats. Proper maintenance can prevent costly problems related to tree damage, injury, and removal. Colorado Springs has few native trees, such as Rocky Mountain Junipers and Ponderosa Pines, which means many tree species in the area require additional attention to stay healthy in winter. Colorado’s winter presents specific risks for trees, including heavy snow loads, high winds, prolonged droughts, and intense UV exposure. These environmental stresses can weaken trees and make them vulnerable to damage. “Hazard reduction pruning” is one essential practice for minimizing winter-related harm. This type of pruning involves removing dead branches over 1.5 inches in diameter, limbs with visible decay, and branches with weak connections. It’s also helpful to thin the canopy to improve
airflow and reduce the strain on the tree during snow or wind events.

Monthly watering is critical during winter to support tree hydration and promote “cold hardening,” which helps trees survive cold temperatures. This watering should cover the entire drip line, simulating good rainfall. It’s recommended to water twice in one day if possible and avoid shallow, trickling water methods. Despite the counterintuitive idea, watering before a freeze does not harm trees; dry conditions in winter are more damaging. Tree wrap can protect young trees with thin bark from intense UV light, extreme temperature changes, and deer antler damage. This flexible, brown cardboard wrap should be applied to deciduous trees under five years old, from Halloween until Mother’s Day. Wrapping helps guard against “sunscald” from temperature swings, which is especially relevant at Colorado’s elevation, where sun exposure can be extreme. Jordan’s primary takeaways are to prune long branches that extend over valuable areas, water trees at least once a month, and use tree wrap to protect young, thin-barked trees during the winter. Following these practices helps trees survive Colorado’s harsh winter and sets them up for healthy growth come spring.