Wednesday, February 12, 2014

2014 Northwest Flower and Garden Show

Like many regional gardeners, I wouldn't miss the NWFGS in Seattle. I arrived early Thursday for the Tweetup and spent the rest of the day enjoying all the delights the show has to offer.

Non-plant themes always emerge from the show display gardens, like this year's focus on glass in multiple gardens.




If 2013 was the year of Melianthus major, this year Sarracenia was the "it" plant of the show. I liked the way the glass echoed the pitcher plants' shapes.







Grouped with Sarracenia or used in other combinations, ferns also figured prominently this year.





Some of those same ferns were for sale in the Plant Marketplace.



I loved the massive rusted metal gate and screen used in one of the display gardens. And there's more of that glass.



The Small Space Showcases always delight. The modern spaces particularly appeal to me, like this hot combo employing brightly-colored seating and metal planters filled with cooling silver and green plants.









Another grouping with the perfect modern mix of color, style and plants.





One small space held a shining wealth of silver and white containers and plants.


I've read a lot from Seattle bloggers about Bark and Garden nursery, so I was happy to see them represented. Their sales area in the Plant Marketplace was a beautiful living tapestry of conifers and evergreens.



If I hadn't been on the train, several of these beauties would have come home with me, like this Iseli introduction, Thuya plicata 'Whipcord'.

But I was on the train, which turned out to be a good thing for getting home to snowy Portland on Saturday.

As I cleared the snow and ice out of my driveway, that delightful first taste of spring at the Northwest Flower and Garden Show helped carry me through the task.

I just pretended to be shoveling mulch instead.


15 comments:

  1. Oh, Mulchmaid....thank you for the pics. I had planned on going on Saturday, but the snow kept us here :( Your photos make up for that! Thank you thank you!

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    1. My pleasure, Tamara! I was sorry that so many people's plans had to be changed.

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  2. I was so sorry that I missed seeing you on Thursday and didn't get to go to the Tweetup. I loved looking at your pictures of the display gardens and the Small Space Showcase.

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    1. You were missed Thursday, Alison, but I'm glad you got to see the show Wednesday.

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  3. Looks like a good time was had, I am so glad you made it and enjoyed yourself. Thanks for the pictures for those of us left behind.

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    1. I felt really lucky to have been there when so many people (including you) had to change their plans, Loree.

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  4. The train...what a fantastic solution to our weather problems. Of course glass would be a dominant theme in Chihuly land. I love it worked in with plants.

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    1. The train was good, but it was Ben's chauffeur service from the station Saturday that sealed the deal!

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  5. I really, really enjoy the pitcher plants. I've got a small one and it has come through three winters now. I need to get a few venus flytraps or something. I love your 4th photo down with all the mosses and goodies. So cool. Thanks for the great photos.

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    1. I'm inspired to try growing pitchers now, Grace. Someone recommended Courting Frogs Nursery for them.

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  6. So glad you made it up to the show Jane! It's always a delight to see you! You got some great shots of the show!

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    1. Lovely to see you, too, Peter. Your pictures of the show are incredible!

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  7. I really like the sculptures made with rusty metal rings. The glass squids, not so much. Look forward to seeing you at the Fling!

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    1. I know what you mean about the squids. I was actually on the fence with the big orange glass pitcher plant shapes in the pond. They felt kind of menacing, and the triffid-like thing inside the glass box behind them was just weird.

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  8. That modern display with the blue and charcoal geometric planters, yuccas and agaves, and wooden backdrop, is perfection! I loooove it.

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