Plants + Music + Discovery = One amazing Northwest flower and garden show!

Wow, I don't know how they do it every year? Turn the convention center into a gardeners drool fest!! Again, the creative minds behind The Northwest Flower and Garden Show wowed the senses and blew my mind with an overwhelming garden giddiness! Yeah I was that girl you saw with the dumb expression of...wow wow wow on her face. Honestly, if there had been a glass window, I would've been the kid squishing its face hard against it just to get a better look!

This year held a few firsts for me....
My first show as a garden blogger. Which was fun as it put a whole new perspective on the day for me. Not to mention it was interesting as everyone there looked sooooo familiar. I even had one guy say to me that I looked familiar, which I quickly replied with a "yeah I have a garden blog"...Blush! Yeah I could've died right then and there, did I really just say that! Especially as I don't even have a photo of me on it. Yeah, I'm sure that's where he knows me from...lol! But it was fun going as a blogger, taking pics with a purpose, thinking up exciting future posts and hoping to bump into someone you follow and admire in the bloggosphere.

Secondly, I actually attended some seminars...wow! I know I am usually to busy drooling over all the plants upstairs, but this year I made sure to hear an interesting talk by David Deardorff called "Vegetable Gardening CSI" Great tips on disease control for your edibles, I also discovered a new-to-me term...Poly-cultres, very interesting indeed. Followed by a talk by Annette Cottrell called "The no effort edible garden" loved loved loved! So eye opening to learn about the verities of perennial veggies that grow effortlessly here in the PNW...wow!

Another first, was remembering to vote for my favorite gardens, I absolutely loved them all! But the one I envisioned escaping to and totally wanted to sneak in to take a closer peek, was by Sublime Gardens called "The Resonating Sounds of Nature - Finding Peace and Solace in the Garden" really the name says it all! This truly was a treat for all the senses, the sounds of the drums being dripped on by falling water, the rhythm of a heartbeat was so soothing. The sweet smells, the lighting and the lushness, the use of natural elements..loved it! I was particularly taken with the meandering over-sized stone staircase leading up to a hidden retreat...ahh bliss!!! They did a wonderful job of embracing the music aspect of this show with incorporating the drums that looked like garden urns (see half way up on the right) A gorgeous design on so many levels...great job!

 

Check out the link to find out more about this wonderful space

 http://sublimegardendesign.com/landscape-design/were-at-the-northwest-flower-garden-show/

The Skybridge is always filled with gorgeous container garden displays, as usual Ravenna Gardens did an amazing job with the use of salvaged woods and terrariums...it looked wonderful! There were a number of eye-catching containers and the use of gray through weathered wood seemed to be a favorite neutral color throughout.

Please enjoy my favorite pics and garden displays from the show
(sorry about the pics, the lighting makes it hard to photograph)

 The winning garden..."Rhythm and Roots" by Susan Browne Design

Great use of salvage and whimsy, in a laid-back colorful garden. 

I especially loved the garden art made from old bits of crockery

Rock and Roll meets heavy metal - by WALP

Loved the juxtaposition of the soft lushness below with the hardness and almost dangerous looking metal wind sculpture. Very unique and completely mesmerizing!

 I am not to sure who desinged this or what it was called. But seriously...look at that wine garden! Yes PLEASE!! Now I know what my garden has been missing all along. Also, I loved the other side of this display, the front door with the clock set to 4:20, that made me giggle...hehehe! And yes they did that on purpose, which made me laugh all the harder.

 

I loved how the tree was mimicked on the canvas art hanging in the pavilion, a very tranquil and relaxing outdoor space, again...yes please!! 

This display was huge and so impressive, the amount of stone they had meticulously moved in and placed was amazing. I absolutely loved the water with the over-sized blocks as stepping stones. The use of moss and grass was beautiful in this display, gave for a very minimalistic look...the name though...Agh ???

While the show is captivating with its displays of creative lushness, its also a fantastic opportunity to discover the latest trends in plants, tools and design from the vendors. Plus score some free loot! This year the swag included...garden gloves, seed packs, tools, orchids, endless magazines, more seeds and a scented chest rub.

My new favorite bloom discovery from the show, is called the "Bridal Crown" double bloom daffodil (awarded daffodil of 2011) the scent was divine and the cluster of blooms just beautiful....a new must have plant for my list!

Another wonderful discovery was this edging, I have always loved the formal look and this hollow concrete block edging from Connect-A-Crete provides an instant raised bed, they snap together and at $20-$40 a piece is a great price! must remember!!

I always love going on the last day of show, its like a tradition for my friend and I. The day when everyone is thinking of packing up shop and insisting you take something extra with purchase. I am also a complete sucker of the two for one plant sales, some are even giving away freebies...love the free pansies we picked up, they were giving them away by the flat...score!

 My beautiful friend Sarah drooling over the Raveena Gardens booth

We both also bought a gorgeous little lavender each from Pelindaba, love their straight from the farm lavender infused products. mental note...must visit their farm out in the San Jaun Islands...road trip this summer!!
 I'm already excited for next years show, I can not wait to see what will be install for us!!

Pop over to Catherine's gorgeous blog - A Gardener in Progress...Our day at the Northwest flower and garden show for another take on the show!!