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Seattle Swoons
The Supersonics basketball franchise left last fall for sunnier climes in Oklahoma. (Oklahoma?) They were the 1979 NBA champions. Now the Seattle Post-Intelligencer—the city’s oldest and Northwest’s most prestigious newspaper—has announced it is being sold by the Hearst Corporation. This means it’s closing.
More bad news came last week when the owner of the money-making—and non-profit network supporting—Northwest Flower & Garden Show announced he was either selling or closing. Next fortnight’s show is the last. For you outside the region, this show is both very sophisticated and the biggest outside Philadelphia. Seattle and its environs are mad about gardening. Vancouver and Portland are nearby, and the venue is comfortable as well as close to “walk around” neighborhoods. (In fact, the entire city has a marvelous, resort-like feeling.) Mr. Kelly did his bit and it’s his choice to quit while he’s ahead. Bravo for him! It is interesting that Heronswood was launched about the same time Kelly started the show. My view is that it’s always been a bit too ornamentals-based. That industry is hurting now. Perhaps a new owner would change it to include more home garden fruits, vegetables and herbs. However, I doubt it will sell. A 5-day, 60,000 attendee gardening exposition is kaput.
(The only silver lining is the welcome new maturity displayed by members of the garden media. No one has so much as breathed a discouraging word. Good! Garden writers used to savage folks for relocating nurseries. It is both refreshing and heartening to see this “gentle touch”.)
Why wouldn’t the many vendors and exhibitors band together as a cooperative—especially since the show is so profitable? The asking price is $2 million. For goodness sake, one can buy the original Heronswood Gardens estate for $1.9 million, and that includes four houses and 8,000 rare plants on 15 acres. The rare plants alone were recently appraised at over $250,000. I doubt the poor show will survive.
Finally, someone wrote me that the Seattle Times was also on the ropes. This is bogus. It will benefit from the demise of its only rival. However, keep in mind that Seattle is the original “online city”. If only one large city in the US loses all its newspapers, it will be Seattle. However, the residents of that fair city can thank also the octopus-like national edition of the New York Times for their local rags’ troubles.
Perhaps Howard Schultz will start daily newspapers to go along with his coffee shops. Don’t be surprised. It was the coffee shop that spurred much of the growth of Europe’s first newspapers. Who knows, perhaps Mr. Schultz is a gardener. Maybe Mrs. Schultz?
Mr. Gates. . . Mrs. Gates. . . Paul Allen? How many round trips of the entourages to Davos would pay for a 25 year-old rare-plant botanical garden, or a 60,000 attendee flower show?
Step forward, Seattle visionaries!
Try it for, say, six years, then see if you’re able to expand or not. I certainly think a Seattle-based newspaper could go nationwide with its Sunday edition, including a hip, edgy magazine. Why let Wired and those folks walk away with the techie readership? A Seattle-based newspaper/magazine with an online presence could dominate the software/internet world of news and opinion.
Get moving and brand Seattle on a national basis! It’s time for New York City to go on “dim”.
P.S. Heronswood West Coast Opens in Kingston, Washington, will be July 19 and another later in early fall, with a special plant auction. Stay tuned for the exciting details.
Mr Ball,
Good column, as usual! But, why not you step up and take over the show? 1) it makes money 2) it’s good for the local economy 3) you have the funds to seed the project, perhaps on the lines of your column, more home gardens and non-ornamentals 4) when we were at the Chelsea show, they were talking about more edibles in future years. You could pull this off – you have the contacts – and keep it on the radar. (Maybe next: you’d make a great newspaperman!! Just kidding. . . but. . . .) Also, please keep up your blogs – we love ‘em!! Thanks
Dear George
Thanks for your zesty post. I did my bit for the local economy–paid lots of wages, salaries and taxes; bought lots of supplies; bought an adjoining property; continue to keep the garden healthy for a future local enthusiast. Plus, I live in PA. So I’ll pass for now. Someone should do a “life show” and include pets like fish and birds especially since they’re so “plant like” to me. In Germany they have huge stores that also include kitties, puppies and reptiles. “Life stores”. Always thought it could fly here. But Germany is pet-crazy.
Thanks again.
George
I totally agree with the comment about fruits, herbs and vegetables…my Daughter and I were just discussing that aspect of the show. Our favorite last year was the “Urban Gardener”’s display garden. How exciting to hear that Heronswood will be open for a day in July…like an afternoon wandering in Heaven for us!
Thanks very much, Jacqui. The second Open on the west coast (early fall)will include an on site, one time sale. Please stay tuned for details.
At the end of April we’ll be in Seattle. Keep us posted about Heronswood. I hope we’ll be able to visit.
Dear Martha
We aren’t open in Kingston by appointment any longer, sorry to say. I hope you can make it to Doylestown for the Heronswood Opens there. We’ll have 5 this year, beginning in early April. Check our website for details. Thanks.
You go! Keep mixing it up and thinking new thoughts. And good luck Seattle.
Thank you, Josie.
You mention a couple of things I’m familiar with. I write a weekly gardening column for a small town newspaper and I often worry it’ll go under by the time I submit my next article. The other thing is the Philly Flower Show. This March will be my sixth show, I also attend the Region II meeting of the Garden Writers Association which coincides with the opening of the Flower Show. I’m not sure how this relates to what you wrote about.
Dear TC
Thanks much, as usual. I always like your posts. I’ll speak at Philly Show Mon. March 2nd at 2:30PM, Wed. March 4 at 1:00PM and then the Sat 7th at 1:00PM again. Hope to meet you there. I’m talking about saving money planting veggies.(Sorry, ornamentals-only folks–you’ll have to come to Fordhook on April 3 and 4to hear my talk on plant breeding for the future at our Heronswood Open there).
Thanks again, TC.
Dear Mr. Ball,
Unfortunately, you did not add that last year the Northwest lost the opportunity of creating a truly great garden conservancy at Heronswood. I hope that as property values in Kitsap descend rather alarmingly, you will again reconsider your opportunity to make a truly significant and lasting contribution to this great garden region. I know that both you and your company would benefit greatly in the loyalty and regard of those 60,000 avid gardeners.
Sincerely, Christa Little
Dear Christa
Thanks for your thoughtful note. Please read the several blogs in the archive, including George Ball Re: PNHC, Blog For The Perplexed and The Two Year Move to learn what we’ve done. The now defunct PNHC may “resume” again, and I’d be happy to talk to one of their lawyers. Our contribution was a steady investment over 6 years into the nursery and the community with no return. Enough, thanks. We’re doing well in Doylestown and have even restored a lot of business with PNW customers, for which we are grateful. If someone wishes to purchase the estate and lovely rare plant garden, they may do so for 1.9 million dollars—far less than we paid in 2000. Plus, it’s in as good shape now as it was then. Ask folks who attended our Open last August. Thanks.
First, I love Heronswood and will be visiting soon from Western Maryland (again).
Second, would you consider inviting Tony Avent from Plant Delights in NC to lecture on something (I’m not picky) at Heronswood? Then I could justify 2 trips. . . I missed his recent lecture on rock gardens in Maryland and though I don’t know the guy at all, his catalog cracks me up.
Thanks.
Dear Mr Paulson
Thanks for your regard for H’wood. Avent’s caricature of me in 2006 was all the humor I need. We have a line up of great speakers for 2009. Stay tuned and thanks again for your business.
As always, your essays are provocative and fresh. I don’t agree with everything you write, but I do agree with the spirit with which you write it. Daring to suggest a solution to a problem? How novel! Taking a side on an issue with well-thought-out conviction? Amazing! In a time when it seems we are swamped with politically correct nonsense, bureaucratic mumbo-jumbo and slovenly thinking in general, it is inspiring to read essays that are lucid and intelligent. Don’t you know? You’re a goofy gardener. You’re supposed to just putter around in the dirt and smile blithely as the culture dissolves. Hey, keep up the good work!
Dear Roy
Goodness, how thoughtful! Thanks very much and please post again. I think you’re a much better writer than I am.
I find it sad that yet another Garden Expo bites the dust. In Harrisburg Pa.we had a Garden Expo for 4yrs. Not this year. I can not believe that with some creative re-structuring Garden Expo’s cant remain what they were:the first sign of life after winter, new products, plants and information for a public exited and eager to get outside and plant something. I also believe, like you, shifting the focus from all ornamental to include edibles would be a good service in these uncertain times.
More and more people are concerned about food safety, the ever rising cost of vegetables and fruit and their carbon footprint. The nursery retail industry has a great opportunity here.
Dear Luise
Perhaps one day Congress will issue an appeal to folks to garden vegetables and herbs like it did in the two world wars. I’m not sure about Korea. It was a very powerful impetus to the backyard hobby garden movement during peacetime. Think of the savings in both money and fuel. Thanks very much for your thoughts.
A little less of the bemused condescension about (Oklahoma?), if you please. I might just be (was?) a customer from such an obscure place.
Dear Mr. Robinson
I’m sorry I offended you. I thought NBA champs got to go to big cities, not leave them for smaller ones. However, I live in the past. Please accept my apology. Thanks.
considering what happened to the heronswood nursery…what can be said?
Dear Cinda
Thanks much for the response. My answer: we couldn’t make a profit where we were serving nationwide customers. Software and news doesn’t have to be weather tested. Can’t sell warm wet zone 8 plants to many other parts of the country. Plus, we couldn’t expand.
On the other hand, the part of the retail business that was local, you’re 100% right. We lost most of the community that we faithfully served for six years. BTW: I had an inkling it was going not well in 2003, so we offered it back to Dan and Robert for half what we paid them for it, after having doubled the size (71/2 to 15 acres) and invested in many other ways such as infrastructure and people. They declined this incredible deal. Also, we employed them for over 5 years.
I never said I was perfect, but I and my staff worked hard on Heronswood. And I certainly am not a visionary. So I don’t fly around giving lectures to folks, or spend half my time on Wall Street. This is just my opinion. The PNW has a big wet kiss in the form of its location on the Pacific Rim. It should have a paper that is all over Asia in every respect—including an Asian edition—and develop of a new identity out from under the shadow of the East Coast intellectual establishment which it seems to follow. Think outside the box. That’s what I did when I bought Heronswood. That’s also what I did when I relocated it. It is still very much alive and growing in its new HQ. The West Coast estate and former owners’ home has been a fully operational test garden for almost three years. We have visitors on Open Days only, much like Dan and Robert did the first few years they were in business. You can find this and other stories at “Blog For The Perplexed” from about a year or the more recent “The Two Year Move“.
Thanks again.
Maybe we here in Seattle are finally downsizing and getting back to reality of what life should be like, easy and stress free. Let the big guys go where they want, We little people love our plot of land to till and work and plant as we please. All this means is less traffic, and easier to get around. Hope they move your way, so you have huge crowds at your shows. I quit going to the Seattle Garden show because I hated fighting the crowds. It is easier to go to the local Nurseries or read a magazine. Don’t get me wrong the Garden show is beautiful, but not worth the hassle of shoving and pushing to see some display. Time to downsize.
Dear Dee Dee,
Thanks for your perceptive remarks, particularly about “show stress”. After 21 years, Mr. Kelly has to be somewhat worn out. However, many folks attend these shows for the very stimulation you dislike—the “agora” of the marketplace. But I agree with you. Maybe it’s age—I don’t know. But downsizing is an art I cultivate. Small home, big garden.
I would buy Heronswood in a second. I only need to sell my home; something that doesn’t seem to be happening in the northwest area. Also, my gardening friend needs to sell hers, which is not happening. Then the two of us could and would be the best thing that ever happened to Heronswood. Problem is we are both in our 70’s, but as they say, we are the new 60’s. We have energy, health and enthusiasm for life and love gardening. It is a beautiful dream for us. Enjoy your Heronswood Voice every time.
Dear Kathryn,
Our realtor has it listed on their website at the old price of $2.6MM, but we lowered it last December to $1.9MM. That’s it for price chopping. We’re very confident it will sell at this price. An absolute steal, so now is the time. If it doesn’t sell by late summer or early fall, we shall re-evaluate our entire situation, since the research garden is quite productive for us. It was the production, nursery, shipping, administration and continuous orderly display garden activities that were difficult to maintain in Kingston. As I’ve said elsewhere, we had no room for expansion.
Thanks very much for your interest.
As a young gardener who now has my first house to tinker with, I am both saddened and shocked that the NW Flower and Garden show is ending. I have been going religiously for the last few years and just dreaming of the day I could finally get my hands dirty. I just love all the ideas, products, and experts ready to help me with my inexperience and numerous questions. I sincerely hope that someone comes forward to help fill this niche. Buying the show seems like a pretty good deal to me. The venue is set, the vendors are available, the public is already aware and ready to come, and it makes a profit. All someone would need is the resources to just step in and take over where Mr. Kelly left off (I know it is really not that simple, but a lot of the work has already been done). I just wish I had the money….
Dear Susan,
Thanks for your post. It’s “show business”, so you need the players, producers and stage crews. I imagine Mr. Kelly got tired of a job that first inspired him, but then became diluted as it succeeded over time. Early days were probably fun. Now it’s big business—not the same. The Philly show (run by a city-related non-profit) has thousands of attendees who wander about eating pretzels and staring at displays. Not most visitors, but enough. They pay the same ticket price and—who knows?—perhaps one day they’ll become gardeners. Thus, it is stressful, hard work and thoroughly numbers-based. Hard to find a successor and last generation to generation—the classic ultimate business struggle.
Thanks again for a thoughtful post.
Kingston Washington – that’s a bit difficult to get to, isn’t it? Is the ferry the best way to get there?
Greetings to the New Heronswood nursery. I was a terrific fan of the original owner Daniel J. Hinkley, his garden, and essays. His contribution to the plant world is enormous, as you know he discovered many of the plants that were found in his exstensive catalogs which to me are priceless fonts of information. I wonder why I do not see him mentioned (being the original owner of Heronswood) in you catalog or maybe a plant that might be named after him. I think it would be very gracious of the new nursery to do this. I enjoy your catalog and will be ordering soon
Best
Mary
As disappointed as I am at all the things leaving Seattle, I find it interesting that
while your note includes Heronswood being for sale and someone should step up. Why didn’t Burpee honor what it was and continue to maintain it and make it available for the general public. I went on a tour during the summer and was heartbroken at what a shell it was compared to what it used to be. Everyone in the gardening world feels what a travesty this is.
Dear Rita, You are completely wrong. We absolutely “stepped up” and operated it for 6 years in Kingston. Don’t forget: the owners sold it to us in mid 2000, almost 1 ½ years before 9/11—a long time ago. In 2003 we offered it back to the founders at half the price we paid them. Also, I tried to work out a very good deal with the PNHC. The original gardens remain well kept while we search for a responsible buyer. You mourn the loss of the nursery and staff—not the gardens, which we take great care of. We continue to open them to the public on our summer Open Days with all the proceeds going to The Garden Conservancy. That is not “travesty”. It wasn’t a non-profit so, please don’t compare us to the many public gardens that thrive in your area. Thanks.