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Posted by Barbara M. Martin Aug 17, 2006 |
Along with many gardeners, I have been following the story of Heronswood Nursery for some time now, from its sale to W. Atlee Burpee & Company and recently, its sudden closure and subsequent partial relocation to the east coast. (Here's what I said last time, in case you missed it.)
Horticulture being a small world, it is not surprising that other mail order nursery owners feel a certain connection with Heronswood and also have followed its demise with bated breath.
Yet another exciting installment to the story appeared recently, this on the (back) cover of a prominent nursery's catalog -- whose owner has also commented publicly about the situation and drawn some parallels between his own nursery and Heronswood. (He also insists he is not ready or planning to sell out.)
See the Plant Delights back cover for yourself.
Do you think it goes "too far"? Is it a cheap shot at George Ball, head of Burpee? Is this a suitable topic for a plant catalog cover? Is this a (not too subtle) ploy by Tony Avent and Plant Delights for publicity?
And, to make things more interesting, although I hate to repeat a rumor, I recently heard the original Heronswood property is now for sale at a price tag near $11 million, slated for development of upscale housing surrounding the arboretum plantings. Hmmmm.