Heronswood May Live Again

When we were at the Far West Show we ran into Lucy Hardiman, a nationally recognized garden designer and author who lives here in Portland. We ran up to talk to her because of an article that appeared in the Oregonian's Homes and Gardens section. It was about a group of Northwest gardeners and horticulturists who have banded together as the Pacific Northwest Horticultural Conservancy to try to buy the former Heronswood Nursery, a world-class botanical garden on Bainbridge Island that was bought by Burpee and Co. six years ago and closed without warning on May 30.

Lucy told us that they are in negotiations with Burpee and are planning to reopen Heronswood as a research and educational facility and are currently developing a list of interested people who would want to contribute ideas and financing to a package of support that might interest Burpee. They will be launching a website next month, and I'll keep you informed about developments and how you can help.

For those of you who have been to Heronswood, you know what I mean when I say it's a treasure that mustn't be lost. If you haven't been there, I can only say that it will be worth your signature on a petition, a donation or volunteering your time so that one day you can visit it.