Neil Bell is a horticulturist with the Oregon State University Extension Service in Marion and Polk Counties, where he oversees the Master Gardener program. He researches the hardiness of woody plants for western Oregon with a particular interest in evergreen and mediterranean climate genera.

Lee Neff is a garden writer and occasional contributor to Pacific Horticulture. She lives and gardens in Kingston, Washington, where she is active with the Flotsam and Jetsam Garden Club and the Northwest Horticultural Society. Her husband John M Neff, MD, is director of the Center for Children with Special Needs at Seattle Children’s Hospital. Both Lee and John have been enthusiastic supporters of the Seattle Children’s PlayGarden.