Re: From the horse's mouth

Claire:
   Thanks so much for posting the letter.
   I actually think the purchase may not be such a disaster. I have always
loved Hinkley et al. for being terrific plantsmen but I never felt they were
such terrific businessmen. Ordering from Heronswood for me, as someone who
can't receive new plants until May 1, was always a gamble. I often received
a third or less of the plants I asked for (even though I mailed in orders in
early Jan.). And clearly Heronswood did not have the capability to evaluate
the wonderful collection of plants it assembled--you (and they) never knew
if something that thrived in their mild climate in well-drained soil could
do all right under lesser circumstances. Sure, that's part of the fun of
trying out new plants, but after a plant's been around for a while you'd
like to get some sense of its potential usefulness to you.
   At the same time, I have a pretty high opinion of George Ball, who has
committed Burpee to maintaining many heirloom species. My assumption--maybe
naive?--is that he bought Heronswood in order to become part of the more
adventurous side of gardening. I can't believe that Heronswood is a big
money-maker. Maybe Ball, like me, enjoys the vicarious thrill of watching
Hinkley climb mountains and collect seed.
   There are plenty of other people around who do a great job of selling new
plants (such as Gene Bush). I say, let Hinkley spend all the time he wants
in Nepal!

Nancy S. (NYC, zone 6)

>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 >>
>
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