More than 500 garden communicators from across North America descended upon the Emerald City for five days of glorious garden tours. Most of the tours were private gardens, which is always a treat since one would never be able to visit these masterpieces on their own. However, one commercial nursery we visited really stood out: Heronswood Nursery in Kingston, which is on Bainbridge Island.
Bainbridge Island is roughly the size of Manhattan, but is much less populated. The island sits just a short ferry boat ride away from downtown Seattle. Some commute into Seattle each work day from Bainbridge, while many others have chosen to retire there. It really is somewhat unique in that the island is mostly rural, taking you back to a time when America was a little more laid back, a little more home-town – you know, Mayberry-like. And yet, it’s just 20 minutes away by ferry from the largest city in the Northwest.
Heronswood Nursery (7530 NE 288th St., Kingston, Wa., 98346; (360) 297-4172; "http://www.heronswood.com" ) is a commercial perennial nursery that also includes a public display garden and private garden. Owners Dan Hinkley and Robert Jones open the nursery by appointment only. They do hold several open garden days, usually on Fridays or Saturdays from June to September.
What makes Heronswood different to avid plant collectors is the delicious selection of spectacular perennial varieties. Most of them are propagated right on the premises. Many are from seeds and cuttings of plants from far away in England, New Zealand, Tasmania, Nepal, Japan, Korea, China, Chile and across the U.S.
The plants are not just situated in rows like most nurseries either. The 3-acre nursery is planted in several gardens. There’s a woodland garden, hedged garden, bog garden, border garden, wall garden and island beds. Shrubs, trees, conifers, vines, ornamental grasses and, of course, perennials, are featured. As one walks along the wooded paths, one is almost transported to another world. Many of the plants are varieties even the savvy garden writers have many seen before.
I was transfixed by a couple species of hydrangeas that were totally unique to me. Instead of the huge ball of flowers one is used to, there were hydrangeas featuring delicate layers of purple, lavender and chartreuse flowers. Varieties included Fasari and Veitchii.
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