Home About HGF Book Reviews Magazine Get Involved Subscribe At Risk Links Contact Us Hurricane Havoc, USA In July 2005, Hurricane Dennis hit Trinidad in Cuba, having a terrible effect on the industrial designed landscape of the Valle de los Ingenios, a photograph of which was one of the winners of the Historic Gardens Foundation Prize in 2004. This sensitive site, used for sugar-cane cultivation, is not only of great archaeological interest but also much valued for its flora and wildlife. Dennis destroyed many trees and the force of the wind crushed historic ruins and archaeological remains. Cuban historic landscape enthusiast Carlos Sentmanat Vázquez, writes: "They still lie where they fell, because of the poor state of the access road, which puts in grave danger the future of this beautiful place." Months later, there was still no indication that work is to be done to clear and repair the damage but Carlos is trying to draw the world's attention to the problems faced at the Valle de los Ingenios. To contact him please email ihistoricas@restauro.co.cu In August, Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans. Badly affected in that city was Longue Vue Gardens, which had only recently been restored by the charitable Foundation which owns them. Made in a classical style between 1938-1942 for Edgar and Edith Stern, the gardens benefitted from the touch of landscape architect Ellen Biddle Shipman. They include fountains, avenues, clipped hedges, a Canal Garden based on the Quinto de Cabo near Lisbon, and a Spanish Court inspired by the Alhambra in Spain. Katrina filled the basement of Longue Vue’s house with water and destroyed the gardens. Box parterres and plantings in the garden rooms and Spanish Court were ruined; plants and fountains were wrecked in the Canal Garden and Walled Garden; trees were lost in the Pine Drive entrance and the Oak Allée (see picture), as well as in Wild Garden (the only extant Shipman woodland garden). continue Commonwealth Institute UK Get Involved with the HGF and its international network Grand Veneur France Pueyrredón Argentina