I briefly considered posting a photo overview of each and every display garden at the 2015 Northwest Flower and Garden Show, but decided against it. There’s been plenty of detailed coverage of the display gardens. Instead I’ll share with you my personal highlights and yes, a few of my WWTT (what were they thinking) moments. The theme (cuz we’ve got to have one, evidently) for the show was “Romance Blossoms,” it was held over Valentine’s Day weekend. As you’d guess this theme translated to plenty of forced bulbs and flowers. Hearts and tables set for two. Blah blah blah blah. Not my cup of tea.
![]()
Above is a photo I pulled from the small space garden: "Penthouse Passion." While I'm not 100% on board with the execution I loved seeing the croton planted in an orange container. It's a better photo of the idea than the one below, of a garden called “Love the space you’re in.” I wanted to share a close up of the orange container at (almost) dead center. It was planted up with several things, including a couple of crotons. I have a love/hate relationship this plant, but here, in the orange container I loved it. I might just work a couple of those into my garden this summer.
![]()
The “Love the space you’re in" garden was also the inspiration for another favorite overheard quote. It was an older couple, maybe in their late 60’s, and at least she was very taken with this garden. She had stars in her eyes as she cooed “This is very pretty, isn’t it? See how it looks like it’s all just meant to be? This is what we need.” So you see the show gardens really do speak to their intended, even if they don't always speak to me, and that's a good thing.
This was the garden I liked best “Step by step, side by side”...
![]()
Why? Because it was different with a capitol D. I heard complaints about those gabion walls. How would you change the lights?
![]()
What about watering the sedum? It’s just not realistic! They’re right, it’s not, but what’s realistic about a garden inside a Convention Center? Have some fun, be a little odd!
![]()
![]()
I thought the chunky stone entry steps were a bit off, an element not in keeping with the rest of the garden.
![]()
And the metal pathway to the “bed” was a bit austere.
![]()
But I couldn’t help but think of Cornerstone while looking at this creation and that was enough for me to give it high marks.
![]()
I wanted to like this garden “The root of true romance” after all it was a bit experimental. But something just didn’t click for me.
![]()
Okay, before I share smaller design elements that caught my eye how about we look at a real WWTT garden (what were they thinking)? I just don’t understand this, I give you “Giovanni’s grotto”…
![]()
So many clashing elements/colors/plants…The palms andcannas Stromanthe sanguinea 'Triostar' (thanks for i.d. Mr. Subjective) under-planted with candy colored bulbs, the glass bits stuck in here and there.
![]()
It was just too much and didn't work for me.
![]()
Let's talk about some plants! There was an entire garden given over to orchids (Lettre D’Amorchid). I didn't care for the overall effect, but these Anguloa ruckeri were so bizarre that I had to stop and stare.
![]()
And since my Ludisia discolor is going to bloom I found this interesting.
![]()
I’ve been on a long standing mission to integrate more ever-black (dark leaved plants that don’t die back or lose their leaves over the winter) plants into my garden. Perhaps I was looking at it all wrong and I should be pulling in plants that turn dark when the weather cools? Rhododendron P.J.M. fits that description.
![]()
I was told Leucothoe fontanesiana ‘Nana’ does too. It was wonderful to ask a question of the person staffing this garden “Rekindled Rendezvous” and find they actually knew about the plants!
![]()
One more that caught my eye, Ilex crenata 'Dwarf Pagoda' pretty darn cute…
![]()
Rust. Let’s talk about rust, there was a lot of it. Rusty stump…
![]()
![]()
Rusty trunk as gate…
![]()
![]()
Rusty cylinders with fancy cut-outs lit from within….
![]()
![]()
And my favorite rust, a retaining wall made from different sized/shaped containers.
![]()
![]()
![]()
Bored yet? We’re almost done. The final category I want to look at are a couple of interesting things that had me thinking “hey I could do that.” First from the garden “Birds do it…bees do it…” I loved these bug hotels.
![]()
![]()
I'm thinking about making a few and hanging them on the big blank back wall of our garage.
![]()
These planted pipes tipped on their side were in the “Romance of Steampunk” garden. My pipes would be metal but I like the idea.
![]()
Finally I’m not sure how I would integrate this into my garden but I really liked the different elements combined to form a wall in the “Rekindled Rendezvous” garden.
![]()
If you live in the Portland area a reminder: this coming weekend (Feb 27-Mar 1) is our version, the Yard, Garden & Patio Show. See you there!
![]()
All material © 2009-2015 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
Above is a photo I pulled from the small space garden: "Penthouse Passion." While I'm not 100% on board with the execution I loved seeing the croton planted in an orange container. It's a better photo of the idea than the one below, of a garden called “Love the space you’re in.” I wanted to share a close up of the orange container at (almost) dead center. It was planted up with several things, including a couple of crotons. I have a love/hate relationship this plant, but here, in the orange container I loved it. I might just work a couple of those into my garden this summer.
The “Love the space you’re in" garden was also the inspiration for another favorite overheard quote. It was an older couple, maybe in their late 60’s, and at least she was very taken with this garden. She had stars in her eyes as she cooed “This is very pretty, isn’t it? See how it looks like it’s all just meant to be? This is what we need.” So you see the show gardens really do speak to their intended, even if they don't always speak to me, and that's a good thing.
This was the garden I liked best “Step by step, side by side”...
Why? Because it was different with a capitol D. I heard complaints about those gabion walls. How would you change the lights?
What about watering the sedum? It’s just not realistic! They’re right, it’s not, but what’s realistic about a garden inside a Convention Center? Have some fun, be a little odd!
I thought the chunky stone entry steps were a bit off, an element not in keeping with the rest of the garden.
And the metal pathway to the “bed” was a bit austere.
But I couldn’t help but think of Cornerstone while looking at this creation and that was enough for me to give it high marks.
I wanted to like this garden “The root of true romance” after all it was a bit experimental. But something just didn’t click for me.
Okay, before I share smaller design elements that caught my eye how about we look at a real WWTT garden (what were they thinking)? I just don’t understand this, I give you “Giovanni’s grotto”…
So many clashing elements/colors/plants…The palms and
It was just too much and didn't work for me.
Let's talk about some plants! There was an entire garden given over to orchids (Lettre D’Amorchid). I didn't care for the overall effect, but these Anguloa ruckeri were so bizarre that I had to stop and stare.
And since my Ludisia discolor is going to bloom I found this interesting.
I’ve been on a long standing mission to integrate more ever-black (dark leaved plants that don’t die back or lose their leaves over the winter) plants into my garden. Perhaps I was looking at it all wrong and I should be pulling in plants that turn dark when the weather cools? Rhododendron P.J.M. fits that description.
I was told Leucothoe fontanesiana ‘Nana’ does too. It was wonderful to ask a question of the person staffing this garden “Rekindled Rendezvous” and find they actually knew about the plants!
One more that caught my eye, Ilex crenata 'Dwarf Pagoda' pretty darn cute…
Rust. Let’s talk about rust, there was a lot of it. Rusty stump…
Rusty trunk as gate…
Rusty cylinders with fancy cut-outs lit from within….
And my favorite rust, a retaining wall made from different sized/shaped containers.
Bored yet? We’re almost done. The final category I want to look at are a couple of interesting things that had me thinking “hey I could do that.” First from the garden “Birds do it…bees do it…” I loved these bug hotels.
I'm thinking about making a few and hanging them on the big blank back wall of our garage.
These planted pipes tipped on their side were in the “Romance of Steampunk” garden. My pipes would be metal but I like the idea.
Finally I’m not sure how I would integrate this into my garden but I really liked the different elements combined to form a wall in the “Rekindled Rendezvous” garden.
If you live in the Portland area a reminder: this coming weekend (Feb 27-Mar 1) is our version, the Yard, Garden & Patio Show. See you there!
All material © 2009-2015 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.