Our June speaker, the legendary Dan Hinkley, changed the face of horticulture in North America. A 2007 Veitch Memorial Medal award cited him “for outstanding contribution to advancing the science and practice of horticulture”. My enchantment crystalized with his book “The Explorer’s Garden: Rare and Unusual Perennials” (1999) which recounted his expeditions to China, Korea, Nepal, Chile and North America. All of us had already been delighted with orders from his (then) mail order nursery Heronswood. In 2000 Heronswood was sold (but never fear, he has a new home and garden down the road at Windcliff)! Today, Monrovia maintains a special collection of his plant discoveries and touts his Ten Global Finds as well as his full collection.
Our June BNARGS meeting will feature 2 specially pre-recorded talks. And he will be available for questions after each. Our first talk will detail the building of Heronswood. After languishing from its sale a few years, it was rescued in 2012 by the Port Gamble S’Klallam tribe. Then, for several years under Hinkley’s direction, the gardens were restored. Today it is a thriving public botanic garden. Our second talk is on Hinkley’s plant explorations, but including the reasoning and process behind them.
Things to know- you must come to the Berkshire Botanical Classroom to participate. The talks will be displayed in our usual manner on the big screen (you do not need any electronic device). Our meeting will flow with coffee and tea ready at 10:00 a.m. for informal gathering and conversation. A short business meeting starts at 10:30 a.m., followed by our morning program. Bring your own lunch. A plant sale and auction will start the afternoon program, with plants donated by members. See you there.
Berkshire Chapter NARGS 