Super NOVA

Sorry for the late notice, but an e-mail just arrived from the Pacific Northwest Horticultural Conservancy (PNHC), with the news that Dan Hinkley, the founder of Heronswood Nursery, will be featured on tonight's episode of NOVA on PBS. The episode follows two teams of scientists as they travel to remote mountains in China to find clues to the origins of Earth's most stunning flowering plants. There is an interview with Hinkley on the episode website, as well as video outtakes from their journey to the Hengduan Mountains to view the rare "hanging lily."

The PNHC was formed in 2006 by a consortium of individuals and educational institutions after Heronswood was abruptly closed by its corporate owner, the Burpee seed company. The goal of the organization is to purchase the property and world-renowned botanical gardens that made up Heronswood, and negotiations with Burpee are currently underway. The PNHC is accepting donations from individuals and businesses on their website and has applied for tax-deductible status as a 501(c)(3) organization.

Details: "First Flower" on NOVA on PBS. Tues., 4/17. Check your local affiliate for times. On OPB it will be shown at 5 pm and 8 pm. In Washington it will air on KCTS at 8 pm.