Re: From the horse's mouth
- To: s*@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU
- Subject: Re: [SG] From the horse's mouth
- From: C* P*
- Date: Sat, 8 Jul 2000 10:26:16 EDT
In a message dated 7/6/00 5:26:20 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
SSaxton@Schwabe.com writes:
<<
> We're in the process of having information posted on the
> website regarding the acquisition. Following is a copy of
> the letter. Hope this helps!
>
> Myrna Ougland
> Heronswood Nursery Ltd.
> 7530 NE 288th St.
> Kingston, WA 98346
> Phone: 360-297-4172
> Fax: 360-297-8321
> e-mail: heronswood@silverlink.net
> website: www.heronswood.com
>
>
> Dear Friends,
> In 1987, Robert and I purchased five acres. That September
> evening when we took possession, a Great Blue heron flew off
> the pond and provided the name of the garden and the nursery
> that were yet to be. During the past 13 years, we and our
> beloved staff of Heronistas have been continually astounded,
> not only by the growth and popularity of our business, but by
> the increasing sophistication
> and intensity of the horticultural community of this
> continent. This growing excitement for a subject that we
> love has certainly been one of the most rewarding experiences
> we have garnered as Heronswood has evolved and flourished.
> The burgeoning growth of our nursery during the past decade
> has been only one of the events that has shaped our lives.
> Endeavors in public speaking and writing have become part and
> parcel of our increasingly hectic schedule. Certainly, the
> growing number of expeditions for gathering plants and seeds
> worldwide has become a defining theme, and evaluating these
> plants for potential garden use
> in our garden has also continued to fill our days (and
> nights). It has been a marvelous, eclectic and, at times,
> unbelievable ride. Yet it has not come without a price.
> I will not belabor you with the frustrations that have also
> continued to grow. One tends to ignore these things if one
> is doing what he loves. The bottom line is that we are out
> of room. Room for expansion in the nursery and space for
> getting back to the basics of living; enjoying the process
> rather than being a slave to it. We have finally come to the
> realization that we can no longer do
> it all while maintaining the level of perfection we have striven for.
> We are, thusly, extremely excited to tell you that Heronswood
> has been acquired by W. Atlee Burpee, one of the oldest and
> most respected horticultural institutions in this country,
> and oddly enough, integral to our childhood gardening
> memories. Now owned by George Ball Jr., this company
> represents the integrity and vision that we hold as paramount
> in our approach to the business of providing
> exciting plants to American gardeners. Mr. Ball has made it
> clear to us that he is both cognizant of and committed to the
> new American garden and the responsibilities of the
> horticultural industry in regard to our environment. We
> believe that the synergy of Heronswood and Burpee will
> further raise the bar and will make our gardens a better and
> more exciting place to be.
> In this strategic alliance, we will be afforded the
> opportunity to take Heronswood to a new level of excellence,
> while maintaining the excitement of introducing new plants
> seldom if ever encountered in the trade. Evaluation of and
> breeding with these introductions will become increasingly
> important and supported by a superb foundation of existing
> Burpee staff and facilities. Yet one of the
> most exciting aspects of this merger is that, on many fronts,
> Heronswood will simply continue to be the same; same name,
> leaders, exceptional staff and degree of commitment to our
> horticultural community. We both will continue to direct the
> operations in the nursery and garden, while an exciting
> roster of upcoming collection trips have been planned to
> Turkey, Tibet, S. Africa, Tasmania, New
> Zealand, Japan and Bhutan.
> Your support of our endeavors over the past decade has been
> and will always be greatly appreciated. We hope you will be
> as pleased with this development as we are and that our
> friendship and association will continue to grow.
> Respectfully yours,
>
> Dan Hinkley Robert Jones >>
