In a Vase on Monday - via the AIFD at the NWFGS

No doubt some of you remember seeing a few of these photos on the Outlaw's blog, for that reason I almost didn't post them. But ya know, we all see things differently...and I want to make sure I have these photos to refer to in the future, so I must make them mine...

Orange and pink — I continue to do battle with this combination of colors. I love orange, and I love a whole heck of a lot of plants that happen to have pink flowers. How to reconcile their disagreement? These designers didn't seem to care.

In case you're wondering here is the low-down on the AIFD...

Established in 1965, the American Institute of Floral Designers is, today, the floral industry’s leading non-profit organization dedicated to establishing, maintaining and recognizing the highest standard of professional floral design. AIFD and its worldwide accredited members are in the forefront of the industry in presenting educational design programs and in designing flowers for such renowned events as the Tournament of Roses Parade, Academy Awards and Presidential Inaugurations. They are an extraordinary group of talented artists.

The annual symposium is being held this summer in Seattle, hence their booth at the Northwest Flower & Garden Show.

I found the reliance on folded and contorted leaves a little over the top. For instance this one, it was a little too tortured. And why couldn't the Anthurium be held within the knotted Phormium leaf? Why did it need to puncture it?

Weaving and braiding.

And perfectly lovely leaves that have had this folding, bondage, technique used on them? Do you like this?

But it wasn't all about foliar torture, there were flowers to appreciate.

I was crushing heavy on those linear, feathery things. Turns out they might be the fertile fronds of Blechnum spicant? (which I only know becasue of a response to my question here)

While I was all for the mixing of edible and decorative in the floral competition displays (here) I kind of think the carrot, apple and beet (is that what the thing on the left is?) is taking it a bit too far.

And we aren't even going to talk about that orange plastic.

I'm sorry. I shouldn't be negative. I'm all for people having fun with flowers and vase arrangements.

I just felt like these were a little too, gimmicky.

But if they caught people's attention (like they caught mine, and Peter's) then they can't be all bad.

After all everyone should enjoy flowers, in whatever way they like!

With that in mind here are a few links I wanted to share. First up an article from the NY Times, "What Happened to Traditional Floral Bouquet" which looks at an entirely different (from these photos) way of using flowers. Then, also from the NYT, a look at their favorite florists on Instagram. I found a few new ones to follow.

Jennifer Jewell, who hosts the podcast "Cultivating Place" on NSPR (North State Public Radio), recently talked with Erin Benzakein, of Floret Flower Farm and the newly released book (which I'm reading right now) Cut Flower Garden. Listen to that here. For an equally interesting look at growing flowers, on a slightly less commercial scale, listen to her interview with Christin Geall, the founder of Cultivated, an urban flower farm and design studio, and a teacher of creative non-fiction at the University of British Columbia in Victoria, here.

Finally, visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden, for a look at us regular old gardeners who enjoy our flowers and foliage by putting together an arrangement weekly (or so) and sharing them here.

Weather Diary, April 2: Hi 56, Low 40/ Precip 0

All material © 2009-2017 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.

A few images of the display gardens at the NWFG Show

So the big display gardens at the Northwest Flower & Garden Show, I guess I should post a few photos, right? Truth be told I'm still feeling a little ambivalent about them. Which isn't good, since hundreds of people spend thousands of hours putting them together. That's not to say they weren't well done, and there weren't dozens of show-goers standing in front of every square foot admiring what had been built. But there were only a few things that I felt strong enough about to lift of my camera and record. Am I jaded? Maybe. Anyway, here's what I want to share with you...

I love it when a wall of stone is interrupted with other materials. In this garden, from Jefferson Sustainable Landscaping and Avid Landscaping Design & Development, the reclining Buddha is upstaged only slightly by the rusted metal planter box.

The pathway bordered by a trio of stone orbs, and bright chartreuse grass (Acorus gramineus 'Ogon', I believe), is quite lovely.

As are a few voluptuous Magnolia flowers, in a sea of forced spring bulbs.

Next up, a garden from Nature Perfect Landscape and Design, and The Barn Nursery. I love love LOVE the mismatched pavers and mix of plants and gravel.

All this texture seems a touch impractical for a patio like mine, but I love it anyway.

The table and benches are pretty sweet too.

This next garden was my favorite of the show, Mid-Mod-Mad - by Sue Goetz and Father Nature Landscapes Inc. Add a couple of dozen potted Agaves and I could happily call this home.

I really wanted to light those logs, just a touch of burn on the edges would have taken the "new" off them. Like how we always lit the candles in our table setting displays at Pier One. Just enough to look used...

This excellent water feature reminds me of the Kuzma Garden, you too?

The upper section featured a dining table...

And a black "shade pavilion" that I could not get a decent photo of, no matter how many angles I tried.

Next up, Garden on Tap, from Plantswoman Design, Inc and Issaquah Landscaping. The wooden slat "hammock" looked quite comfortable.

Arrow points to "the tipsy garden pub"...

A bar/garden shed...

And I thought their use of copper tubing was especially inspired.

Next up, food farming on a residential scale, from Farmer Frog...

Clever! And easy to make at home.

Again with the break in the stone wall...

Inside the hoop house there was all sorts of magic happening.

Another shot of the PVC food wall...

Finally the Washington Park Arboretum Garden, designed by Bob Lily, Phil Wood and Roger Williams. Simple and serene. Oh and mossy!

Some thought a picnic, on the moss, during spring in Western Washington was a dream. I say dream on! Why not? We've had plenty of warm, picnic-worthy, spring days. Just none this year.

Finally two images that got separated from their gardens. I love this big ole piece of rusted metal. All it needed was a vine growing on it.

And if you're gonna tell people to keep their hands, feet, and butts, off your garden, the least you can do is say it with style...

Weather Diary, March 8: Hi 47, Low 41/ Precip .42"

All material © 2009-2017 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.

NWFG Show; not much Living in the City

For years now one of my personal highlights of the Northwest Flower & Garden Show has been the City Living "gardens" on the skybridge between the two main halls. The small displays (6ft x 12ft) are meant to represent an apartment, or condo, balcony — urban gardens. Some of the most creative ideas and inspired garden vignettes of the show are typically located here. So imagine my surprise when I walked onto the skybridge and saw this...

Cakes? But where are the gardens? Okay yes, the theme of the show was Taste of Spring, and the cakes do have a decorative floral element to them. But this display ate into the space normally given over to the small gardens. I was not happy. Was this an attempt to fill space, because there weren't enough City Living entries this year? Or did they accept less entries because they decided we should eat cake? I hope this is not a permanent feature. Or if it is they find it a new home next year. Okay, rant over...

Someone (LUC Custom Bakery) had the cojones to put spiky "opuntia pads" on their cake. Now that I can respect.

Moving on to the actual garden displays, this one, from Ma Petite Gardens, wins the prize for making me appreciate something I typically dislike...

I am no fan of the Heuchera, usually....

But the real problem with me would typically be the finish on this container. I dislike that pocked glaze, it reminds me of an unfortunate skin condition. Here though, with the plants chosen, it looked fabulous. And yes I even liked the Heuchera.

The colors used throughout the display were calming and yet full of spring's promise.

The red tulips were a little jarring. But there was a matching burst of red on the opposite side.

Besides, they went with the Chianti, although I noticed it was already gone, and it was only 10:30 am!

I thought this idea, from Natures Tapestry Landscapes was an interesting one.

Although it needs a little refining to really make me happy.

This was my favorite of the City Living displays this year, done by Rocky Bay Garden Creations.

There was a lot to take in!

Kokedama herbs...

With labels hanging from forks (clever).

I love the Sansevieria (I think) kokedama, resting in the stone container with fins.

So many details...

Unfortunately I got so involved in chatting with Patricia Ruff, the creator of the display, that I completely forgot to take photos of this wall! Luckily I spotted these on Facebook, taken by Cherry Ong, and she gave me permission to use them.

Thanks Cherry! And thanks Patricia, for keeping this part of the NWFG Show interesting this year!

Weather Diary, March 1: Hi 51, Low 40/ Precip .01

All material © 2009-2017 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.