If you look carefully, you may notice some subtle changes to a few of the park’s trees. These are tree props, which as you may guess prop up trees, that are at risk of falling over. MSPC, with the encouragement of the City of Salem, hired Bartlett’s Tree Experts to assess, manufacture and install these…
The MSPC Rose Committee (Debbie Alexander, Gretchen Carnaby, Bill Meltzer, and Brian Smith) was called into action this past spring under the guidance of rose expert Elaine Sedlack. Elaine has been a godsend to our committee. We have not had expert guidance since Leonie Bell, nationally known old rose expert, visited the Tartar Old Rose…
Fall marks planting season in the Willamette Valley. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, MSPC was able to purchase and contribute 5 young Oregon white oaks (Quercus garryana) to the park. Two will go on the north side of the Bush House to help restore the historical appearance of the house while three will…
Debbie Alexander loves plants. She loves growing plants, learning about plants, and writing about plants. Debbie began thinking about plants after moving into a new house in Salem that lacked landscaping. Knowing nothing about landscaping and gardening, Debbie began to educate herself by reading gardening books and visiting public and private gardens throughout the Willamette…
Perhaps you have noticed the gorgeous photographs on the Conservancy’s Facebook page or at the kiosk near the Bush House Museum. Many of these photographs are the work of Jim Schomaker, who loves both gardening and photographing landscapes and flowers. His two passions come together in his volunteer work for The Conservancy. His contribution to…
The Conservancy and the City of Salem are working together to rehabilitate the center focal point in the Tarter Old Rose Collection. The focal point consists of a brick circle divided by four brick pathways. The area between each of the pathways is currently planted with red roses. Both the brickwork and the roses need restoration.…
MSPC was formed, in part, to respond to threats to the Oregon White Oaks in Bush’s Pasture Park. Among MSPC’s first actions was to commission a professional scientific study of the oaks and, based on that study, recommend significant changes in how the City manages them. Since the study, the City has changed how it…
WOW! If you missed this garden extravaganza, there is always next year. The addition of the new ‘Hot Border’, so named for its vivid color palette, came into its glory this past July. This garden project located immediately south of the Bush Conservatory was funded by a grant from the Hardy Plant Society of Oregon…
After a COVID-enforced hiatus, MSPC will again host our annual summer plant sale on Friday, July 16, and Saturday, July 17, from 10 am – 3pm both days. The sale will be held near Bush House Museum under the cool shade of the English white oaks. Our diverse group of growers include Van Hevelingen Herb…
After an unsuccessful recruitment effort to fill the new Garden Manager position, the Board invited former MSPC president Michael Slater to step into the 1-day a week role. Michael led the organization from its founding in 2018 through early 2020. He has served on the Board continuously. Michael’s role will be to coordinate with City…