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?