Heronswood

Heronswood is a botanical garden on approximately 15 acres near Kingston that grows over 8,000 plant varieties from Asia, Central America, Eastern Europe, and South Africa. The garden is divided into several distinct sections that explore how plants relate to people and their lives.

The garden was founded in 1987 by Dan Hinkley and Robert Jones and later acquired by the W. Atlee Burpee Company in 2000 before the Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe purchased it in 2012. This ownership change shifted the focus toward traditional plants and their cultural importance.

The S'Klallam Tribe maintains a dedicated garden section here where they grow and harvest traditional plants such as camas and cedar for ceremonial and everyday uses. This space reflects the deep connection between the local people and the plants that have sustained them for generations.

The garden is open on Fridays from 10 AM to 3 PM and offers guided tours and educational programs about plant cultivation and environmental conservation. Plan to spend time walking through the various sections to experience the different plant collections from around the world.

The garden includes a working nursery area where visitors can observe how plants are propagated and maintained, a detail often overlooked. This practical element reveals the daily care that supports the displayed gardens.

Location: Washington

GPS coordinates: 47.82080,-122.54900

Latest update: December 12, 2025 16:40