Heronswood Garden is owned and operated by the Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe, falling under the auspices of the Port Gamble S'Klallam Foundation, a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit, since 2012. Heronswood is the only public garden owned by a tribe in the United States but was founded in 1987 by famous plantsman Dan Hinkley. After the tribe purchased Heronswood, many years were spent restoring the gardens, with Dan’s help, after it was left in bad shape by the previous owner. In recent years, the Foundation and Heronswood staff have been expanding the gardens and programs offered to the public and tribal community. Heronswood Garden has recently been ranked as the #1 tourism and visitor destination for North Kitsap County by Trip Advisor, especially as it offers “a doorway to the Olympic Peninsula”, being close to the highway that routes to the Olympic Peninsula.

The Port Gamble S’Klallam Foundation and Heronswood staff are committed to indigenizing the garden, increasing cultural awareness and education, hosting cross-cultural learning opportunities, and continually tending and expanding the gardens and plant collections to conserve and protect plants from around the world. Growing over 9,000 taxa from every continent except Antarctica, the mission of Heronswood is to foster learning and conservation of plants, with focus on horticulture, propagation, design, cultural uses, and sharing in the interconnectedness of plants and peoples.

Port Gamble S'Klallam tribal staff member Debby Purser is the designer of the S'Klallam Connections Garden - home now to an expanding number of native and naturalized plants important to the tribe. The garden includes a new Camas (Camassia quamash) prairie; many plants valuable for food, medicine, fiber or spiritual practices; a CMT or culturally modified Cedar tree (Thuja plicata); and is the final resting place for a storied Welcome Pole, retired with respect and appropriate ceremony amongst the Huckleberry (Vaccinium sp.), Salal (Gaultheria shallon), and Oregon Grape (Mahonia sp.).

Heronswood is a cherished venue and learning space, and spending time here offers an opportunity to increase overall wellness in a peaceful, beautiful, and enriching outdoor setting. We offer membership that comes with many benefits; year-round popular events like plants sales and others celebrating plants, our canine family members (dogs are allowed to visit the garden, on leash!), and children's education; year-round, inspiring classes; event spaces and a sought after wedding venue; a beloved gift shop featuring local and tribal artisans, Heronswood merchandise and a great selection of books; and more!

Visit the Heronswood Garden website for more details or call the Foundation at (360) 297-9621 or the main garden line at (360) 297-9620 with any questions. We look forward to seeing you in the garden soon!