The theme for this year's Northwest Flower and Garden Show was "Taste of Spring," which I thought translated particularly well to the floral competition. I always enjoy the floral display, but the 2017 entries were especially inspired — imagine the produce and floral departments at your local market, artfully combined. Since we spent several days in Seattle, I didn't have time to put together my own Monday vase, so I'm sharing my favorites from the show. Hope you enjoy!
This bright arrangement by Clary Sage Studio was titled "Begin Afresh" — I am all for any plant/floral creation that combines pink and orange in a way that doesn't hurt my eyes.
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The birch bark vase added just the right (lack of) color and lots of texture, and tied in nicely into a poem included in the vignette, The Trees by Philip Larkin. I didn't get a shot of the poem, but if your curious it's shown in the artists Instagram feed, link above.
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Oh and there were "kumquat eggs" too...clever eh?
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This one, "A Floral Feast" by Fena Flowers, was very busy. I stood there a good long while to soak it all in.
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Days later and I still can't decide if I like the onion and carrot element, although it was eye-catching.
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I loved the peppers and lilies right away (along with the rosemary and lettuce!).
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The hanging radish bunch was wonderful, but impossible to photograph.
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Odd, terribly odd, and kind of like a radish boutonniere. Oh so fun!
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This section was my favorite, the colors of the ranunculus and anemone...
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Combined with the eggplant...
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And the cut cabbage "flowers"...so creative!
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"Absolutely Delicious!" by First & Bloom.
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More pink and orange with leafy greens, combined well.
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Whenever I see things planted in eggshells I want to smash them. However the general reaction I heard from the crowd was one of delight.
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Bed springs were everywhere at this show: in one of the large display gardens, in the "vintage market" and here, in this floral display.
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Their use here as glass vase holders was one of the best, I thought.
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"Edible Meets Floral: A Spring Woodland Harvest" by RHR Horticulture. WOW! Pretty fabulous right? In the interest of full disclosure I must confess I am friends with the creator of this luscious display, the talented Riz Reyes. We've seen his work at the show before, when he did a full display garden (here) and then in the City Living displays.
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Again there is so much to see here, starting with artichokes as vases...
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With kale, asparagus, and Romanesco broccoli accents.
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The various shades of purple, blue and chartreuse, combined with white, was so crisp and fresh.
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The attention to detail, and the sheer quantity of different elements, was amazing...and they all work together perfectly. Notice the turkey-tail mushrooms on the log...
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*swoon!*
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And on the opposite side (acting as bookends) another artichoke vase, this one with a tulip curled around the bottom just so.
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Bravo Riz!
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"Mother Nature's Opulent Offerings" by The Art of Forest Blooms was particularly hard to photograph.
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But again, the attention to detail, and layers of material, were impressive.
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I love the simple perfection of the fiddle head trio.
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And of course the raspberry ranunculus and chartruese orchids.
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And we must not overlook the mushrooms.
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Finally, "Succulent & Delicious" by Young Flowers...romantic, so very romantic.
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My heart skipped a beat when I walked up to this one.
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Protea, pussy willows, artichokes, lettuce, succulents, and (I think) bromeliad blooms...
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More romanesco, roses...
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And of course orchids...
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And magnolias! Sigh...I wanted to take them all home with me...
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Weather Diary, February 26: Hi 43, Low 35/ Precip .14
All material © 2009-2017 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
This bright arrangement by Clary Sage Studio was titled "Begin Afresh" — I am all for any plant/floral creation that combines pink and orange in a way that doesn't hurt my eyes.
The birch bark vase added just the right (lack of) color and lots of texture, and tied in nicely into a poem included in the vignette, The Trees by Philip Larkin. I didn't get a shot of the poem, but if your curious it's shown in the artists Instagram feed, link above.
Oh and there were "kumquat eggs" too...clever eh?
━✽━
This one, "A Floral Feast" by Fena Flowers, was very busy. I stood there a good long while to soak it all in.
Days later and I still can't decide if I like the onion and carrot element, although it was eye-catching.
I loved the peppers and lilies right away (along with the rosemary and lettuce!).
The hanging radish bunch was wonderful, but impossible to photograph.
Odd, terribly odd, and kind of like a radish boutonniere. Oh so fun!
This section was my favorite, the colors of the ranunculus and anemone...
Combined with the eggplant...
And the cut cabbage "flowers"...so creative!
━✽━
"Absolutely Delicious!" by First & Bloom.
More pink and orange with leafy greens, combined well.
Whenever I see things planted in eggshells I want to smash them. However the general reaction I heard from the crowd was one of delight.
Bed springs were everywhere at this show: in one of the large display gardens, in the "vintage market" and here, in this floral display.
Their use here as glass vase holders was one of the best, I thought.
━✽━
"Edible Meets Floral: A Spring Woodland Harvest" by RHR Horticulture. WOW! Pretty fabulous right? In the interest of full disclosure I must confess I am friends with the creator of this luscious display, the talented Riz Reyes. We've seen his work at the show before, when he did a full display garden (here) and then in the City Living displays.
Again there is so much to see here, starting with artichokes as vases...
With kale, asparagus, and Romanesco broccoli accents.
The various shades of purple, blue and chartreuse, combined with white, was so crisp and fresh.
The attention to detail, and the sheer quantity of different elements, was amazing...and they all work together perfectly. Notice the turkey-tail mushrooms on the log...
*swoon!*
And on the opposite side (acting as bookends) another artichoke vase, this one with a tulip curled around the bottom just so.
Bravo Riz!
━✽━
"Mother Nature's Opulent Offerings" by The Art of Forest Blooms was particularly hard to photograph.
But again, the attention to detail, and layers of material, were impressive.
I love the simple perfection of the fiddle head trio.
And of course the raspberry ranunculus and chartruese orchids.
And we must not overlook the mushrooms.
━✽━
Finally, "Succulent & Delicious" by Young Flowers...romantic, so very romantic.
My heart skipped a beat when I walked up to this one.
Protea, pussy willows, artichokes, lettuce, succulents, and (I think) bromeliad blooms...
More romanesco, roses...
And of course orchids...
And magnolias! Sigh...I wanted to take them all home with me...
Weather Diary, February 26: Hi 43, Low 35/ Precip .14
All material © 2009-2017 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.