I know the small space showcase is popular but that’s taking it to an entirely different level!
Seriously though while I have no idea what that was all about I can say (for the most part) the real small space gardens didn't disappoint…there was so much color and attention to detail! My friend Peter (The Outlaw Gardener) said he could picture me composing blog posts here…
…in the Ravenna Gardens display, oh to be so fortunate! Behind the desk is a sliding glass door which (if this dream were a reality) would open to my back garden, and I’d have these monstrous pitcher plants hanging from an old 3-ring light fixture (which we really do have in our office, electrified of course)…
And I’d be surrounded by my favorite colors.
In fact this display really does look like a smaller, greener, "office version" of our shade pavilion! I love it, like most everything that Ravenna Gardens does...
I also felt at home in this display by Artistic Garden Concepts…
You can see why…
Isn’t that sign just meant for me? There were also several repurposed light fixtures in this display.
More knock-your-socks-off color in the Codina Ceramics Studio display…
I don’t know that one could actually walk on these chartreuse rings but I was so in love with them I really didn't care.
Molbak’s stirred some serious plant lust with their dramatic colors.
Be still my heart!
Am I going to finally need a Foxtail Fern?
And what about that begonia (I think?) pretty fabulous!
So much to love, and that's just a small part of the show! I have a lot more to share later this week...
That office set up is a good one and the colors are amazing. Even though we may have read a few posts from the show it's still fun to have your take and a few more views of your favorites.
ReplyDeleteYou need that sign.
You know how much new signs that are supposed to look vintage actually look kind of fake? This one looked so real...I wonder if it really was. Guess I better email them.
DeleteOmg! I'm in awe, lust, envy, all those deadly sins over those displays. The office room is beyond epic. It is simply perfect in every way.
ReplyDeleteI guess you didn't make it down huh Louis?
DeleteI loved those metal containers at Ravenna's display...but I should NOT have looked at the price...ouch!
ReplyDeleteI know! I couldn't even afford one at the Digs 50% off sale...
DeleteI love that Ravenna Gardens display. I could work there, for sure. And thank you for the laugh--that small space garden cracked me up.
ReplyDeleteGlad to provide a laugh. I stood there for awhile to see if someone was going to pick them up, like maybe it was just to see if they liked those plants grouped together. Nope. And it was still there the next day!
DeleteI loved the first itty bitty small space garden that you featured. I saw that as well and wondered why they put those pots there. You do need that sign!
ReplyDeleteThe only thought I had as to "why" (because I really do try and figure these things out) was that someone was being kind of territorial and wanted to mark the edge of their booth space, even though they weren't using it. Whatta ya think?
DeletePeter is right, the orange themed office is oh so you :) and so is the sign! Love them all, ok perhaps not the 'no show' display but so many inspirations to be had!
ReplyDeletePart of me considered photographing the bad ones too and doing the reverse post...you know asking WWTT??? (and trust me there were some bad ones) but better to just enjoy the good ones...
DeleteThat black leaf begonia is begonia muddy waters, it will get pink blooms and is really easy to care for.You can see more pictures on my blog : gwenniesgarden at wordpress.
ReplyDeletegwennie
Yes that's it! Thanks Gwennie!
DeleteDo you have your foxtail fern yet??? :)
ReplyDeleteHa, no not yet. But on the way home from Seattle we stopped at a nursery in Olympia and they had a gorgeous one that really tempted me. We'll see how much longer I'll last.
DeleteI find all that bright orange and chartreuse color accents to be too trendy, and would not want to have to live with them year round.I guess they have a whole different feel in the dark cloudy PNW winter season. And I guess I lead a sheltered life, this is the first blog post I've seen about this show, beyond Billy Goodnick's piece. Here in the SF Bay Area, the buzz this past weekend was all about the Pacific Orchid Show over at Fort Mason in SF. Personally I wasn't feeling like dealing with the crowds, and immersed myself with a wonderful photographic safari up the hill to the UC Berkeley Botanic Garden. Looking forward to seeing more photos/write-up about your Seattle show. What was the general consensus about the show gardens this year?
ReplyDeleteI have loved chartreuse all my life, so it's hard for me to see that as a trendy choice, orange on the other hand is a relativity new addiction and obviously very trendy (which does sort of surprise me as I thought it's five minutes would have been up by now). I avoided bright colors (other than chartreuse) for years, but oddly it was a trip to sunny Phoenix that changed my mind. The brightness, used there to counter the ever blazing sun, does certainly have a cheering effect in our PNW grey, and then does double duty when the sun comes out for the summer.
DeleteAs for the consensus about the show I would say there was a general feeling the gardens were better than previous years. It was a very mixed bag (some horrid) but when the top prize winner is a garden all about the plants (not the hardscape) then you know things are showing hope. Funny you mention orchids as there was a display garden completely devoted to them which I didn't even enter because of the crowds gathered there.
Lorree, When I ran into before the show i thought of you and the small gardens. I thought they were the best also. I think you need that sign danger spiked foliage. Keep writing and taking great photos. You keep me going. Heidi and Dragonfly
ReplyDeleteThank you Heidi, it was wonderful to bump into you! And Riz was lucky you shared your beautiful Scheffleras with him, while I'm sure he could have over some the design challenge of not having them in his garden the statement they made by being there was over the top (in a very good way). Hope to see you at Dragonfly this summer!
DeleteThe more, the merrier, I say...and your take is always unique.
ReplyDeleteThanks ricki!
DeleteExcellent job rockin the amazing photos of the small space gardens!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Christina! I wanted to say "hi" at the show but every time I saw you there was an seemingly deep conversation going on and I didn't want to interrupt...
DeleteLucky you to have attended the 2013 Northwest Garden Show. Thumbs up for those chartreuse rings too. They look fabulous with the other exotic plants and flowers.
ReplyDelete