This is the time of yearwhen all my writing chum blog about New Years resolutions for the garden . Since I ’ve never kept a resolution longer than the metre it takes to go by across my well - intentioned lips , I ’m not gon na even attempt that exploit . Instead , I ’ll ask YOU to make — and keep — a garden resolution .
reprise after me : “ THIS is the year I ’ll go to a garden show ! ” And what more appropriate time to stargaze about give and solve in your own garden than the icy grasp of winter ?
At this very here and now some of the most inventive garden graphic designer are hunker down at their drawing board putting the finishing touch on displays that ’ll knock your socks off . Most show have scores of seminar award by expert in every gardening niche – container gardening , erect gardening , succulent , tropical displays , outdoor living blank space , store your harvest , off - planet terraforming — you ca n’t miss .
[ wellness precaution : Before you ill-use into the show ’s trafficker division , have a full stoppage - up from your Dr. – some of the luscious plants that debut at the shows will make even a seasoned nurseryman palpitate . ]
To Which Show Shall You Go?
No matter what region you survive in , there ’s a garden show — too many for me to write about here . So I posted a promissory note at Facebook inquire some of my hort homies which ones they ’d recommend . It did n’t take long to get some rave endorsements . Here ’s what my peeps say you father ta go see …
San Francisco Flower & Garden Show – We d. Mar. 23 – Tue . Mar. 29 ; San Mateo Events Center
Laura Livengood Schaub(Schaub Designs ) , perhaps a spot prejudiced , since she ’s societal media director for the show , told me “ The SFGS is not to be miss , since you ’re speaking ! ”
That ’s right , Laura . My referee can meet me at the show . I ’ll be speaking on Thursday , March 24 ( check off the schedule when we get close to the appointment ) . My seminar is titled,“How To make Any Style Garden Using Mediterranean Plants . ”(If you subsist in nose candy country and ca n’t grow a smooth-spoken - leaf princess efflorescence to bring through your life , arrive anyway , if only for the jokes . )
In the first 60 minutes , I ’ll instruct you the same design principle I habituate in my own garden design . Once you ’re mentality are filled with cool blueprint ideas , I ’ll release you to the trafficker ’s hall to hunt for killer plant combos for your own garden . When you ’ve shopped until you drop , descend back for a bit of show - and - tell and personalize design advice from yours truly .
Charlotte “ Daffodil Planter ” Germane(Daffodil Planter ) left a distinction : “ Do n’t forget Billy , the readers should see SFGS because you ’ll be there , and they can discern you in your stingy lip . You do sign autographs , do n’t you ? ”
Indeed , Charlotte — I ’ll be give way away free , signed copy of my unveiling column , Design Like A Pro , in Fine Gardening Magazine .
But enough about me .
My favorite show at last yr ’s San Francisco show was designed byAndrea Hurd , owner ofMariposa Gardening and Design , Berkeley CA . Andrea is an groundbreaking designer whose garden are deeply frozen in natural cloth , native plants , and sustainable pattern . She excel in stonework , having studied with traditional builders in Europe . I appreciated the care and craftsmanship she put into her exhibit garden , even though it would be haul off after a week .
Northwest Flower and Garden Show – We d. Feb. 23 – Sun . Feb. 27 ; Washington State Convention Center , Seattle .
There was strong Facebook lobbying for the Seattle show , and a dash of hometown pridefulness from garden coachChristina Salwitz(The Personal Garden Coach ) , “ because we ’ve work SO hard to keep it here in township . The NW can grow plant from zones that order from desert to tropic , and all in between — salmagundi ! ! ”
The theme this yr is “ Once Upon a Time ” , featuring 25 topically - designed show garden , including one from the local chapter of theAssociation of Professional Landscape Designers(APLD ) .
Tuesday night , there ’s a gala prevue party benefitting the Arboretum Foundation , help to support the spectacularly beautiful , 200 - acre Washington Park Arboretum , a outstanding side - trip while you ’re at the show .
Joe Lamp’l , creator and host ofGrowing A Greener World TV , adds , “ NWFS for sure . Not only are the garden displays beautiful , but they ’re not over the top , unrealistic ; where anything and everything that can bloom in a class is doing so , all in one workweek . Moreover , it ’s top off for educational seminar , and the masses that attend are real nurseryman . I imagine I ’ve seen all the various appearance by now , but the NWFS is consistently the unspoilt of all ! ”
permit ’s head east .
Chicago Flower and Garden Show – Sat . Mar. 5 – Sun . Mar. 13 ; Navy Pier
Shawna Coronado , writer of Gardening Nude , exhibit a wee scrap of local loyalty , singing the praise of the Chicago shindig . shortsighted and sweet : “ CF&GS – marvellous relief to wintertime , all done on Chicago ’s Navy Pier . ” ( She ’ll be utter at the show ! )
There will be many merriment activities surrounding the show , like the Friday , March 4 , trailer benefit for the Chicago Arboretum , and a Mix & Mingle night , with euphony and drinks .
The Garden Gourmet kicks into train three time a Clarence Shepard Day Jr. with culinary demonstrations featuring 36 of Chicago ’s top chef , all using natural and house - develop ingredient . If you ’re fetch the tiddler , they ’ve got that covered , too : playground , storytelling , works potting , Thomas Kyd - friendly preservation tips , the science of louse compost — even a bug exhibit .
Philadelphia International Flower and Garden Show – Sun . Mar. 6 – Sun . Mar. 13 ; Pennsylvania Convention Center
Philly , my wife ’s hometown , was my impromptu study ’s openhanded vote getter . “ Philly is spectacular . The Disneyland of indoor horticultural amusement , ” effusesKirk R. Brown .
AndLaura Matthews(Punk Rock Gardens ) calls it “ the preeminent canvass for horticulture as art . astonishing artistry , passion and dedication fills every centimeter of this grandad of floral festivity . ”
Not much else I can say , except that this twelvemonth ’s theme is “ Springtime In Paris . ” There ’ll be flower trees , lilacs , roses and border of lavender ( water with a hunky-dory French Bordeaux ? ) .
Visit the show ’s website for a chance to win two free ticket to the show , or one - Nox accommodations for two at Center City’sFrench lavishness hotel , Sofitel .
What Did I Miss?
If these big metropolis shows are beyond your range , do n’t dismay . My Google search for “ flower shows ” resulted in 18,200,000 hitting , so there ’s bound to be one within 15 - in of your home .
Please relinquish your job , buy a school bus ( slap some 60s stick - on daisies to the side ) , and join me at the San Francisco Flower & Garden Show . It ’s more play than a barrel of imp puzzle trees ( Araucaria araucana ) .
[ Readlast year ’s reportsfrom the San Francisco Flower and Garden Show ]
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