By the way, is the fuchsia ‘Isis’ without variegation still available? We have three of them now, all bought from Heronswood, and they are probably my favorite plants, reliably hardy in our zone 8 garden — one in the woodland garden, and two in pots right by the house. I note you offer one with variegation, but I believe the variegation of the leaves would take away from the beauty of the plant with its tiny jewel-like flowers. I would like to purchase one or two more for a new shade garden we’re establishing in the spring. Thanks.

Thank you very much for your thoughtful response. You have noticed that we continued exactly the business you described–and indeed expanded it–after purchasing the nursery in 2000 from Dan and Robert. We believed in the same dream. However, we discovered several things over the six years until 2006. First, the business was tough to operate from almost 3,000 miles, second many plants were strictly zones 8 and 9, and also that there was a substantial, and surprising, drop in local interest after we bought it. Then the money became tighter than usual, and yet costs increased. So, regardless how long and hard we tried to make it work, the business couldn’t expand headquartered in Kingston, especially since the majority was, and remains, mail order. Plants needed nationwide adaptation, production needed space, location needed more centrality, and costs needed to be less.

Thus, we had to relocate the nursery and keep what we could of the research there for northwest adaptation as long as we could. It’s noteworthy that the water pressure–often a problem–has been greatly improved for the gardens now that the nursery has been relocated. The plants are at much less risk of drought, which is a big deal in summer there, as you well know. Two and a half years later, we still haven’t found an appropriate–or any–buyer for the “real” Heronswood, as you call it, not even at a discount from the recently appraised value of the land. So, where’s the community now? If the magic was all in the plantsmen, then it certainly wasn’t in the plants, and that’s the only sorry part, if any, in my view. For the purposes of future plant selection, please bring your catalogue/s, for example the 5 we published from 2001 to 2005, to the next Open in 2009 (there will probably be two again), and look for the plants. They are still there, tended as well as, and labeled better than, ever. Then order from the new website. Again, as last two years, we shall have both Heronswood and The Garden Conservancy staff on hand to guide folks through the many research and display gardens. Also, if you ever come east, please be sure to pay us a visit anytime. We welcome guests year round by appointment. We have a major sculpture exhibition by Steve Tobin as well as the new gardens that already cover twice the area of the ones in Kingston. Needless to say, all proceeds from the Opens go to The Garden Conservancy.

Thanks again for your interest.

Sincerely,
George Ball

It’s a wound that just hasn’t healed. Completely understandable that anyone else would want some of that magic. But I’m guessing you don’t get nearly the sales you could from the Pacific Northwest, because of our loss. To our community.

Ruth

Thank you for your note. Obviously we haven’t done enough for you. However, here’s “reality”: we moved the nursery two and a half years ago. That’s plants in pots. We not only maintained the original garden, but also improved it by removing crowded plants. We held three Open Day events in Kingston, Washington, and eight in Doylestown, PA, since the move. We raised thousands of dollars for The Garden Conservancy at both locations in the past two years. Perhaps the new gardens, speakers, seminars, et al, haven’t been up to your standards. Nevertheless, we improve with every Open Day. We’ve collected several hundred exciting new plants both in the wild—as permitted—and in the countryside in many places throughout the world, not only China, where the previous owners (the owners in 2000) placed their emphasis. They were excellent plant collectors and we cherish the many plants they introduced. But new owners bring a new perspective. After six years, we needed a change, and certainly better financial results.

How you look at reality is up to you. We took excellent care of the terminated employees, giving generous severances, extending their health plans and offering free job counseling. (Name another nursery that’s done that.) The former owners’ contracts were fulfilled to the letter. We have been working in an extraordinarily diligent way to sell the original display gardens and former home of the founders to area philanthropists, despite the distortions in the local media. Meanwhile, we move ahead with plant research and production in Kingston, Western PA, Eastern PA, the southern tip of Delaware and the UK to supply new and old cultivars of “unusually great” plants. We hope you give us a chance to win you back as a valued customer.

George Ball

Thanks for the email about Sammy. The lady, whose name I forget, tells me that runts tend to be mediocre hunting dogs. Because, of all the litter, they have problems with command and control signals. I found it odd too, but I assume it’s correct, because she said that folks at these hunting clubs often kill the runts after some sort of cursory review of their “gameness”. That’s why she rescues them; they become available for her because otherwise they’d be put to sleep. Thanks so much for your note, and please come see us (and the dogs) if you take a trip east.