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New Logo
A courting heron debuts the nursery’s new logo. The fine illustration was created by Bruce Chandler in 1975 for an excellent literary magazine called “The Four Zoas” which published chapbooks of poetry by Gerard Malanga, Jon Silkin, Andrei Codrescu and many others from the mid 70s, a glorious period in American poetry. I found it in a specialty bookstore where I clerked for several years while attending nearby DePaul University. (In an odd coincidence, the owner and poet Douglas McDonald went on to become a horticulturist, entirely unknown to me until we reunited years later at a local botanical garden.) Several of us, all employee-apprentices under Doug, produced books of poetry and literary criticism on an old foot-pedaled press in the basement—several by Lisel Mueller, Clayton Eshleman, and a translation of a long poem by Aime Cesaire. We used handmade French paper rescued from a closed stationery store, and assembled the type by hand. I wrote a review of a recent book by the Ukranian-American poet Christine Zawadiwsky and published it in a local magazine, which spurred a life-long interest in literature.
Not only was the poetry in the many literary magazines of that era—a North American samizdat, as poet Michael Anania described it—quite striking, but the illustrations were just as beautiful. They included offbeat photography, collages, paintings, watercolors, and in this, our new dancing logo, a wood block engraving.
Years later—last fall to be exact—I phoned Mr. Chandler to request usage of his image and we reached a happy agreement. He’s a gardening enthusiast, writer, artist and book publisher who uses the image for his own handmade books.
We hope you like our new Heronswood Nursery logo. Your 2009 catalogues will arrive shortly, filled with exciting new plants. Best wishes for the new year.
I like the new logo. It looks happy.
Thanks much, T.C.
new logo…am not sure I can relate to it…what is the heron doing? To me, it looks too one dimensional, as well as it presents as an aloof bird. I’d have preferred to see something loving and or soft, giving the appearance of being a contented bird from our Earth within, its own habitat, perhaps with one or two of its kind. That might give the 3 dimensional appearance that I find comforting and having “ease”. This bird is hard for me to look at… As it is now, it looks to me like the heron is not knowing what to do, is off balance, and has no direction, which is what I prefer to avoid. I do not mean to offend: just wonder why it was chosen. Sent with sincerity & caring.
Dear Mary,
Thanks for your thoughtful response.
The heron is courting and performing a mating dance. Indeed it looks odd but is not awkward. I like its unusual quality. Plus, we hope happy customers will “hear the call”.
The new Heronswood Nursery has never been as great a nursery as it was in Kingston, WA. A new logo isn’t going to make it any better.
Dear Sara,
Thanks. We have different goals. Our catalogue is certainly different, but most customer responses have been very positive. The website is greatly improved. Our opens at Fordhook now include auctions and classes, as in Kingston, and will occur on 11 days in 2009. We’ll also have two Open Days in Kingston. All benefit the Garden Conservancy, as they have since 2006.
Thanks Again.
My catalog will arrive soon? That sounds promising but since I’ve never received one from you before I want to make sure that you have my address: (address removed), Santa Monica, CA 90404
Thank you so much! Love the heron logo.
It’s on its way. Thank you.
There must be something about printing and gardening that goes together . . . I fell in love with hand set type and a hand fed platen when I was young, now I am the author of garden related books and a monthly gardening column . . .
I just received my Heronswood catalog, and it is yummy! Also just in time to feature it in my yearly catalog column which I will have to get busy on next week. The logo looks great, like an old wood cut which connects so nicely to your business name . . .
I love your blog and occasionally repost bits of it with a link back to your page . . . keep up the writing and the deep thoughts . . .
Dear Harvest
Thanks. Amazing! I had no idea of the “wood”/color connection. It was, I guess, coincidental.
Thank you very much for pointing it out.
It’s exquisite. Congratulations to the artist and to your company for striking an agreeable deal.
Can’t wait to see the new catalog.
Thanks a lot. On its way.
I love the new logo. It puts a smile on my face!
It is whimsical and yet beautiful.
Dancing does that; Thanks very much.
Unique and very beautiful. The color is a natural tone – very nice. Thumbs-up!
Thank you!
Beautiful logo.
Thank you.
Dear George,
Thank you for your response. Heronswood is # 1 on my list of “most closely held to my heart” plant collections. You stated “hear the call”. Am I supposed to understand that? What call? I do not want to mate with plants, as they are of another kind than me, a human. Striking a “deal” is not about which choosing a logo should be. If this choice is from your heart, then it is right. If it is mostly because of past memoirs/connections, then it is wrong. I know this might sound like a ridiculous amount of “over thinking” to you, however I am very protective of Hersonswood in my heart. I was born and raised in Meadville, Pennsylvania for 21 years, and I believe in & support the how, why, and when you chose to bring the plants to PA. I give you no criticism for it.
I admit I would like to have been included in the choice of the new logo, as might also would some of your other clients. Please forgive my critical tone, however plants are so much in my heart, and I feel their representation deserves to be most honorable. I do not find this bird honorable…so it is going to mate, so what? Everything comes back to the heart, and I am not sure the plants would like this logo to represent who they are. There is not one plant in this logo, and Heronswood is not selling heron. I might sound nuts, but I am not…just expressing from my mind and heart, which are very close to the Earth. I express this with love for the plant Kingdom and care that I do not hurt your feelings, however if you ever choose another logo, you might include others in their opinions first, as we all belong to Hersonwood. These are our Creator’s plants, God’s creations, and we ALL are but stewards, and for even a short time, here on this particular planet. Merry Christmas.
Always sent with kindness & thoughtfulness for our plants, Mary Ruther
You have wonderful Plants,a bit pricey. I’d like to buy more but can’t afford to.
Well anyway what I wanted to write you about IS the way you are dressed for you site. It is not very well done for the type of site you are conveying.You look like you just came out of greenhouse doing Many days of work. NO shower or clean clothes.Beautiful site otherwise.
Dear Marjorie,
Actually I was working in the garden all morning and half the afternoon by the time a friend snapped that photo. But point well taken. We’re looking around for a more decent and respectable looking picture. Although I think it’s an okay picture. I’m not photogenic. But, yo, red shoes. Thanks.
Merry Christmas from Northern Ky!
The logo represents the bird in its finest natural state. What a fine spirited bird! Most dashing and spunky. Who cares if he is courting? Nature is an endless cycle. You go, Big Bird!
How about giving us an update on Daniel Hinkley? He could really write and many of us miss him and his wonderful catalogues and the beautiful place on Bainbridge Island.
Dear Linda,
After six years with us, Dan no longer works at Heronswood, since the June, 2006 move of our nursery operation to Pennsylvania. Please see Blog for the Perplexed. Also, the Kitsap Peninsula research garden is still open twice a year in cooperation with The Garden Conservancy. Please check our website and your email for 2009 dates. Thanks for your continued interest.