Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Farwest 2015

August 27-29 brought the Farwest Nursery Industry Trade Show to the Oregon Convention Center, this is my 7th year attending. Walking up to the building (those are its "famous" twin spire towers - which flood the lobby areas with natural light) I again was reflecting on how this building book-ends my gardening year. February brings the Yard Garden and Patio show...attendees all heavily anticipating a new year of gardening ahead. August and the Farwest Show is another sort of beginning, when we look ahead to the next gardening year while realizing this year is winding down.

The chalk-art by the main entrance set a fun tone...

Far From Ordinary was their tagline this year.

The show floor features a mix of equipment vendors, service companies, growers, distributors, etc. Rather than walking you through and sharing things in the same order in which I discovered them I thought I would try and group the photos in someway that made sense. It's the least I can do when I post over 50 photos and hope that you make it through to the end!

This is the Oregon Association of Nurseries booth, the OAN produces the Farwest Show. Up until last February they were also behind the Yard Garden & Patio Show, now that's produced by Metropolitan Productions, Inc. See that little rounder of magazines on the table?

How proud am I that two of them feature articles I wrote? (very proud actually).

This one even includes my photo on the cover, that's the garden of Sean Hogan don't ya know.

Okay enough of that, let's go check out the New Varieties Showcase.

Looking good! Most of the fixtures were the work of Garden Gallery Iron Works. You're going to see a lot more of them in this post, they really rocked the 2015 Farwest Show! (they were also swag sponsors of the 2014 Portland Garden Bloggers Fling)

I'm only going to highlight 3 of the 49 plants entered into the showcase. If you're curious about the others then go here (where you'll also see the winners - none of them the ones I would have chosen).

We start with Disporum cantoniense 'Moonlight', a plant I really want to like. I adore my other two Disporum cantoniense (‘Night Heron’ and 'Green Giant') but this one, it's weak. Small, 4" plants were swag at the 2014 Fling. And since we had extras I planted 4, maybe 5 in my garden. A year later they are still struggling. I want this plant to thrive, just look at those fabulous variegated leaves!

The details.

This one is terribly interesting to me. A weeping Chocolate Mimosa, aka Albizia julibrissin 'Chocolate Fountain'. Sadly the sample plants looked pretty pathetic but in the landscape I bet this will be gorgeous.

And finally, you know I love this plant (since I recently bought one) Camouflage Variegated Japanese Aralia / Fatsia japonica 'Variegata'. Again the plants on display looked pretty lame. Too bad.

Just adjacent was the actual Garden Gallery Iron Works booth (well, one of two). They were also the official source for the Farwest Growler. Can you say "branding?" The pub crawl, which happened later that night, seems to have become a hot ticket during the show.

Yes, I did love the tall plant-able columns they were featuring.

Next up, the Growers Showcase!

Where yes, there is more from Garden Gallery Iron Works...

Ya gotta love the double decker planters, right?

Onward! This was part of the Ball Horticultural booth. They seem to be embracing color.

Wait, did someone say color? Dummen Orange also does color.

Any guesses what company this selection represents? Yes - Terra Nova Nurseries. If they can do pink and orange together than dammit so can I!

Skagit Gardens was doing a little color as well...

And sharing their take on the planted table with rill. The reactions of the folks gathered around it said it was a new concept for them.

Papyrus "under-planted" with mums, that's a combination I never thought I would see (also at Skagit Gardens).

Now that's a great plant hauling rig at the Verna Jean Nursery booth! (you've got to get them started young)

The Little Prince of Oregon guys (Ryan Seely left, Mark Leichty right) were looking happy in their succulent beards (I guess Ketch de Kanter was off the hook since he already has a real beard? Or maybe it's because he's the owner).

So many Tillandsia here!

T. tectorum is one I don't have, it's supper fuzzy leaves are fab.

The black edges are done with a floral paint, I was told it wears off naturally over time. Just a touch better than those hideous painted succulents at the big box stores.

There were a few Agaves to be found, Agave Vanzie...

Never having heard of Agave Vanzie I thought this was a new (to me) species.

Nope, Agave ovatifolia Vanzie...

I walked by this booth a couple of times. Every single time I read the sign as Don Marijuana - I don't know why!

But it does make me wonder. Next year at this time marijuana sales will be happening here in Oregon. Does that mean that maple (?) leaf might be replaced with a marijuana leaf?

Monrovia believes in variegation. A lot of it.

Something creative is always in store at the Bamboo Gardens booth, this year it is was this wonderful arch.

Alan, might there be a new bamboo project in your future?

Leucothoe fontanesiana 'Rainbow'

The Blooming Junction booth proudly displayed a nice Agave selection.

And a few softer things as well.

Cercis canadensis 'Ruby Falls' a weeping form to only 6ft tall, 4 ft wide...

Look, under the Bountiful Farms umbrella...

Prunus persica 'Bonfire' - so beautiful...

Rhododendron 'Ostbo's Elizabeth' - sexy! And perfect with the chartruese foliage next to it.

One of the darkest Ninebarks I've seen, Petite Plum Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius 'POIPD2' P.P.A.F.)...5ft tall, 4 ft wide.

And finally my "Official Plant of the 2015 Farwest Show"...Eupatorium capillifolium 'Elegant Feather', it was everywhere! (and that's a good thing)

All material © 2009-2015 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.

32 comments:

  1. I wish I had bamboo culms big enough for those types of projects -- love the cutouts in the canes!

    Also, I'm going to look for the 'Petite Plum' Ninebark -- it seems to have a bigger leaf than my others, but I don't trust the 5' tall and 4' wide bit...

    A garden show in the Fall would be amazing...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Really? I am very surprised that you don't have them. They weren't that big around. As for the Ninebark I think that might have just been a trick of my photography.

      And the fall garden show thing...I think it's in the fall because that's when the nursery people start gearing up for the following year. A lot of the wholesale folks are there to take orders from the retail guys.

      Delete
  2. Ooooo. I love all those metal planters, and am already thinking about how I can get my resident builder to try to make me one of those columns. *thinking thinking* A fall garden show? Now that's an idea...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's an industry show Helen, not a "for the public" event.

      Delete
  3. Some really spiffy plants. I like the almost circular arches and fixtures a lot. The rill, though, looked like the table was peeing. A rather strange idea.

    Congrats on the photo and articles in the magazine!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I didn't like the way that planted table with the rill was done. The parts were not consistent and didn't add up to a cohesive whole...which (as you say) ended up making it look like it was peeing!

      Delete
  4. Ohh!!! It is so interesting!! I always enjoy this visits posts. Congratulations for the articles! They must be interesting!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Woo hoo! Thanks for the recap, Loree - especially since I wasn't able to go (had to man the fort while William, Anna and Gina went) - so it was nice to actually see what it was like. That Rhododendron is sexy...and the Garden Gallery Ironworks stuff is very cool. Thank you thank you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was so bummed when I saw the gang there without you, but yes...somebody had to "woman" the fort I suppose...

      Delete
  6. What kind of credentials must one have to attend this show? It looks like a good one.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I believe you could get in as Media Ricki. In the past my contact has been Ann Murphy, but this year I went through their website to request a pass.

      Delete
    2. Thanks...think I'll try that next year.

      Delete
  7. Congrats on your articles! So much to comment on... beautiful plants (minus paint), planters, and interesting new varieties... but those beards! Gold.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They were so well done, and kudos for the guys being good enough sports to wear them!

      Delete
  8. You get all the great garden shows up there. I liked a lot of the rusty metal things but, more than that, the plants. I'd love to have a variegated Fatsia - it's too bad they want to be watered regularly.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oregon is nursery country Kris! But second to California and Florida...thus you too should have some good shows..."should"...

      Delete
  9. There's so much to take in its difficult which ones to highlight. Oh well, lots of gorgeous plants to look forward to and hoping they'll make it to this side of the pond next year :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Still hoping for you glorious Scheffleras to make it over here...

      Delete
  10. Congratulations on your being a published author! As Patrick's girlfriend, Gloria, said to Auntie Mame, "I didn't know you were literate." Cool tunes pal! Saw the most beautiful and large specimen of Fatsia japonica 'Camouflage' that I'd ever seen at Portland Ave. Nursery the other day and thought of you. It got a nice ride in my cart but went back to it's place as it's price reflected it's beauty and size and I already have it in my garden. So much great stuff to see at this show! Did you hang out on the last day to see if you could purchase any plants? You're right about Disporum cantoniense 'Moonlight'! I planted some from the fling in my garden and of the four only one survived and it's sickly looking. You showed Prunus persica 'Bonfire' in your post on last year's show didn't you? It's really striking and I've liked it since you showed it then. Have you seen it for sale anywhere? Found some mail order places but would love to find it locally.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, I've been writing for the OAN for a couple of years now. It's been a great experience.

      I did plan to be there at closing to score a couple of deals, if possible. However anything I wanted wasn't being sold (I asked). Isn't that interesting that your 'Moonlight' is weak too, I'm glad to know it's not just my garden. And yes, I did share an ornamental peach last year (good memory!), I'm not sure if it's the same one but I so love it. Anna swears she's going to try to order them in at Drakes.

      Delete
  11. How have I not heard that you had a couple of articles and photos published? Kudos. I look forward to your Farwest posts. I think I should go to this next year. I know it's a trade show for the garden industry, not for gardeners, but I think it would be fascinating. I'm still kicking myself that I didn't go to the Little Prince outing back in the spring. I hope there's another one soon. Those guys look like a fun bunch!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Alison, I haven't talked about it much. Digger is an industry publication from the OAN that I've been writing for now for a couple of years. It's been fun, but actually I just turned in my last story on Sept 1, I decided it was time to focus my energies elsewhere.

      As for Farwest I wouldn't go out of my way to make the trip down (since it's industry focused), but it is interesting. You could have combined a visit this year with the Garden Conservancy tour, they were both going on the same Saturday.

      Delete
  12. You should feel proud of your articles for sure. This post makes me think I should check out the "green" trade shows that happen in the Chicago area, which I have never done.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Jason, and yes..YOU should go to the trade shows in the Chicago area - and take lots of photos!

      Delete
  13. That's a better agave selection than probably any garden show in my region would have...once you walked past their outdoor kitchen and hot tub displays! Tillandias...that is some selection, too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Since it's an nursery industry trade show there weren't any outdoor kitchen and hot tubs, yay! Lots of nursery pot vendors, machinery, and assorted doo-dads that looked expansive and important though...

      Delete
  14. I wish I had made it, if only for those tillandsias! T. tectorum is on my wishlist, too. That bamboo arch is beautiful, too. I looked at the new varietals showcase in the link you provided. Not really impressed, frankly. But how cool to have two of your articles in Digger, and one of your photos on the cover!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You do know that the Tillandsias weren't actually for sale right? I mean you couldn't have bought them and walked out the door with them. If you wanted to place a nice big order for your nursery though, then you'd have been in business!

      Delete
  15. You would not believe the amount of plants that go in the dumpsters after these shows. It's depressing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have no trouble believing Mindy! I've scored a few "we don't want to haul it away" deals, but I bet the majority goes exactly where you say.

      Delete
  16. Any attempt I've made to grow facial hair looks like that of a 15 year old boy, but I could so do that succulent beard.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for taking the time to comment. Comment moderation is on (because you know: spam), I will approve and post your comment as soon as possible!