Heronswood Renewal and Repair - Take a Look At What's Happening In Kingston

Santa visited the Northwest early this year when the S'Klallam tribe bought Heronswood. Thank you, thank you - gardeners are deeply grateful.

What a relief to have Heronswood out of the hands of George Ball.

The dramatic history of the Northwest's famous nursery and garden has fairy tale elements to it - Two young men build a garden and famous nursery out of nothing but their skill and hard work, its purchase by a wealthy nurseryman who turned out to be...well...problematic. The firing of founders Hinkley and Jones, Ball moving plants east, then precipitously closing Heronswood down. Then a long decline when no one really knew what was going on...all the elements of a classic tale...

Then...the surprise of the S'Klallam tribe stepping in to buy the languishing garden along with the Heronswood name.  I'm not making light of any of the travail and sadness of Heronswood's closing and decline. We thought we'd lost a genuine Northwest treasure, a beloved garden, the place that put us on the global gardening map.

But Heronswood is back in business. What kind of condition is it in? “There were six years of no one being there; it had been minimally maintained,” says Noel Higa, Economic Development Director of the S’Klallam tribe.

The tribe has ambitious plans to restore the garden and open it to the public. They're figuring out how to add native culture and art to the mix while staying true to the original garden.

Resurrection is underway with work parties, a Facebook page, and...I love this...a day that was dedicated to hosting gay marriages in the garden. What good karma, a sweet and joyous launch of the garden's second life.

Want to get involved?  "Like" Heronswood on Facebook, to stay updated on what's happening.  Anyone who'd like to volunteer in the new year can send an email to: heronswoodgardens@gmail.com

Here are a few photos of the initial workparty..courtesy of Lynne Harrison -

Dan Hinkley back in the garden he created so many years ago...

At this point a small group of former Heronistas, tribe members, and knowledgeable horticulturists are working with Dan to figure out where to start to bring the garden back to life.

Comments

[Chris]

This is wonderful!!

[Ruth]

In a month of so much hard news, both personal and global, this is a heartwarming and true holiday story!

[RuthF]

Startled to find myself tearing up a bit at the sight of Dan in the garden again. (however, the coffee cup he's carrying in the last pic looks a bit like a pepto bismol bottle on my monitor...could be apt).

[Jennifer Titus]

my favorite place on earth. so glad to hear of the reopening. heronswood is a labor of love and could only be tended by a team with a passion for horticulture. if dan and his crew can take care of a 5 acre garden and nursery, surely i can tend my humble half acre plot. the best news.

[Peter/ Outlaw]

The images of Dan standing once again in his garden make my heart sing. One thing that Mr. Ball never understood was that we enjoyed the constant evolution of Heronswood; discovering new plants as they were added, looking for old favorites. Simple preservation/ maintainence could never bring such a thrill.

[Helen Engle]

Valerie
You are really pretty special. I like the way you think. (Celebrating the the renewal of Heronswood, about ” hosting gay marriages in the garden for good karma”; the text in Petal & Twig about using everything that grows in your garden, along the roadsides, etc. and re Christmas decorating “stay out of stores”; Plus keeping birds happy in the garden).
And also for taking time to send out Hinkley's reading list. . . . .
Please know you are appreciated! I forward your columns to our Arboretum Unit here in Pierce County.
Helen Engle, hengle@iinet.com

[valerie Easton]

Thanks, Helen, for your kind words...I really appreciate hearing from you..
Best,
Val

[Mary Balgaroo]

I will never forget my visit to Heronswood about 10 years ago when driving up from Salt Lake City, it was the biggest highlight of my gardening life up to that point. So glad to read your update about this national (not just regional) treasure.

[Arthur in the Garden!]

Its good news!