Rather than drag you through every display garden at the NWFG Festival I'm just going to share the things I found inspiring. First up the West Seattle Nursery/Devonshire Landscaping display — it was a big winner and a favorite of mine.
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It's based around a garden spa — which may or may not be your cup of tea — but I found it a refreshing change from the outdoor kitchen version. Plus it featured lots of dreamy plants.
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I simply must find a hardy alternative to Acacia cognata 'Cousin Itt'.
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That texture is so perfect! Any ideas folks?
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The back wall of the display (see top photo) was covered in Tillandsia, random at the top and denser towards the bottom. I couldn't really place why it made me uncomfortable, that is until I read someone (maybe Alison?) say they looked like spiders.
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The hanging "chandelier" (a no lights version?) of plants was simply fabulous. I wish I could have gotten a better photo of it.
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The shower head covered with Tillandsia was also clever.
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The back wall of the display was a Trypophobia sufferers worst nightmare, but I liked it (hmm, I wonder if that was intentional? Arachnophobia triggers on the front, Trypophobia triggers on the back? Nah...). I'm not sure how I would translate this into my garden, but there would definitely be something in all of those empty pots.
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The Issaquah Landscaping/designs by deLeuw display featured a garden structure that was a smaller version of a train/truck container. I liked it's relative simplicity. If we had a larger garden, and I had a thriving home business, I can totally see me with a container office.
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The corrugated metal skirting to the pool was also appealing to metal-loving me.
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Over at the Fancy Fronds/ALBE Rustics garden there were all sorts of fabulous plants and interesting things happening. That tepee trellis shape is just begging for vines to cover it, don't you think?
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And you all know I adore the hommage to the dish planter, these seemingly taken right from the pages of the Potted book.
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Even the edges of this garden were interesting, they made me think of Villa Noailles.
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Are you curious why my photos are (for the most part) without that dramatic show lighting? The NWFG Festival has a before hours "tweet-up" where us social media types are allowed in before the house lights are dimmed. It's a good thing.
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The garden from Millennium Landscape and Construction, Inc. won points from me right away — you could actually walk through it! So many of the NWFG Show gardens are only to be observed from the edges. I hate that!
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They included lights in their brick pavers...
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Something I admittedly overlooked, until The Outlaw pointed them out.
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I liked their version of a feature I've seen at a few other shows (the SF Garden show back in 2012 and then also at the Succulent Extravaganza via others photos) was fun, even if it looked a little precarious.
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The back wall of the display may have been my favorite part. Imagine the vines!
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The low-wall was nice too.
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In the Northwest Orchid Society display I enjoyed seeing Coffea arabica growing.
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This would make a nice addition to my garden. If it were hardy...
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Then there was this. Wow. The Easter-basket-cellophane greenhouse from Treeline Designz. At first I was a little shocked, a little fearful...
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But the more I saw it, the more I liked it. At least one person is going to be horrified by that statement. Sorry Outlaw.
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Over in the City Living area (skywalk between the two halls, which features smaller, "city balcony" sized displays) the first thing I spotted was this fine display of the Leo Planters by Pot, Inc.
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I've admired these online but they are even better in person.
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The rusty metal finish is unique yet even, nice when you're mail ordering and not picking it out in person.
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Todd Holloway (owner, designer and dad to the adorable Carl) took one of the containers off the display to show us the drainage and mounting holes, as well as those circular nubbins which allow for air circulation between the container and wall.
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Moving on to the City Living displays proper, here's a vignette from GH Horticulture's display. I loved Grace's nod to the ubiquitous Amazon box by the front door
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The happenstantials display was a riot of things, my favorite was this kids play structure worked into comfy seating. How fun, right?
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I chatted with the creator of this inspired work, Chance Justbe (yep), who was obviously having a blast.
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He made the kokedama...
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And planted up this bag planter with bamboo, made all the more interesting by including the cut culms, moss and black mondo grass.
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Even his window planters were inspired.
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And his placement of the "heart hands" was not accidental...
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Next up the Designs by Nature display.
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Love this table! Although I would have preferred to see a different top. The glass looks out of place (cold) next to the warm metal and wood.
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The last one I'll feature was from Sky Nursery.
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I really enjoyed the paper and floral bits hanging from the twisty branches. What was your fav?
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Weather Diary, Feb 15: Hi 50, Low 38/ Precip .08"
All material © 2009-2018 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
It's based around a garden spa — which may or may not be your cup of tea — but I found it a refreshing change from the outdoor kitchen version. Plus it featured lots of dreamy plants.
I simply must find a hardy alternative to Acacia cognata 'Cousin Itt'.
That texture is so perfect! Any ideas folks?
The back wall of the display (see top photo) was covered in Tillandsia, random at the top and denser towards the bottom. I couldn't really place why it made me uncomfortable, that is until I read someone (maybe Alison?) say they looked like spiders.
The hanging "chandelier" (a no lights version?) of plants was simply fabulous. I wish I could have gotten a better photo of it.
The shower head covered with Tillandsia was also clever.
The back wall of the display was a Trypophobia sufferers worst nightmare, but I liked it (hmm, I wonder if that was intentional? Arachnophobia triggers on the front, Trypophobia triggers on the back? Nah...). I'm not sure how I would translate this into my garden, but there would definitely be something in all of those empty pots.
The Issaquah Landscaping/designs by deLeuw display featured a garden structure that was a smaller version of a train/truck container. I liked it's relative simplicity. If we had a larger garden, and I had a thriving home business, I can totally see me with a container office.
The corrugated metal skirting to the pool was also appealing to metal-loving me.
Over at the Fancy Fronds/ALBE Rustics garden there were all sorts of fabulous plants and interesting things happening. That tepee trellis shape is just begging for vines to cover it, don't you think?
And you all know I adore the hommage to the dish planter, these seemingly taken right from the pages of the Potted book.
Even the edges of this garden were interesting, they made me think of Villa Noailles.
Are you curious why my photos are (for the most part) without that dramatic show lighting? The NWFG Festival has a before hours "tweet-up" where us social media types are allowed in before the house lights are dimmed. It's a good thing.
The garden from Millennium Landscape and Construction, Inc. won points from me right away — you could actually walk through it! So many of the NWFG Show gardens are only to be observed from the edges. I hate that!
They included lights in their brick pavers...
Something I admittedly overlooked, until The Outlaw pointed them out.
I liked their version of a feature I've seen at a few other shows (the SF Garden show back in 2012 and then also at the Succulent Extravaganza via others photos) was fun, even if it looked a little precarious.
The back wall of the display may have been my favorite part. Imagine the vines!
The low-wall was nice too.
In the Northwest Orchid Society display I enjoyed seeing Coffea arabica growing.
This would make a nice addition to my garden. If it were hardy...
Then there was this. Wow. The Easter-basket-cellophane greenhouse from Treeline Designz. At first I was a little shocked, a little fearful...
But the more I saw it, the more I liked it. At least one person is going to be horrified by that statement. Sorry Outlaw.
Over in the City Living area (skywalk between the two halls, which features smaller, "city balcony" sized displays) the first thing I spotted was this fine display of the Leo Planters by Pot, Inc.
I've admired these online but they are even better in person.
The rusty metal finish is unique yet even, nice when you're mail ordering and not picking it out in person.
Todd Holloway (owner, designer and dad to the adorable Carl) took one of the containers off the display to show us the drainage and mounting holes, as well as those circular nubbins which allow for air circulation between the container and wall.
Moving on to the City Living displays proper, here's a vignette from GH Horticulture's display. I loved Grace's nod to the ubiquitous Amazon box by the front door
The happenstantials display was a riot of things, my favorite was this kids play structure worked into comfy seating. How fun, right?
I chatted with the creator of this inspired work, Chance Justbe (yep), who was obviously having a blast.
He made the kokedama...
And planted up this bag planter with bamboo, made all the more interesting by including the cut culms, moss and black mondo grass.
Even his window planters were inspired.
And his placement of the "heart hands" was not accidental...
Next up the Designs by Nature display.
Love this table! Although I would have preferred to see a different top. The glass looks out of place (cold) next to the warm metal and wood.
The last one I'll feature was from Sky Nursery.
I really enjoyed the paper and floral bits hanging from the twisty branches. What was your fav?
Weather Diary, Feb 15: Hi 50, Low 38/ Precip .08"
All material © 2009-2018 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.