Leah Erickson: Fleurs De Villes: Northwest Flower & Garden Festival: Seatlle 2020

Oh how I love the glamour of old hollywood. That is all I see when I look at Leah Erickson's stunning mannequin. The long sleek gown. The enormous I am a movie star coat. I absolutely love your design, Leah. She is everything.

The collection of floral mannequins is an installation arranged by Fleurs De Villes, who "combines the love of flowers, local design talent, and bespoke, utterly unique displays, for experiential events like none other." 

I enjoyed listening to Fleurs De Villes founders, Karen Marshall and Tina Barkley, discuss their company with SLOW Flowers creator, Debra Prinzing in her podcast, just weeks before their Seattle debut. 

Hendrick's Gin was a sponsor of the Fleurs De Villes at the Northwest Flower & Garden Show and they had a beautiful bar area and floral cocktails adorned with edible flowers available for purchase. My impression was that it was designed to looked like the mannequins, in their floral glory, were guests at Seattle's biggest garden party. Well done.

I have long talked about encouraging people to find delight at the intersection of two things that they love. As I stood at the show, I realized that my appreciation for the gowns of Fleurs De Villes at the Northwest Flower & Garden Festival is because for me, they hit a bulls eye at the intersection of flowers and Barbies. 

I love Barbies and have such happy memories of combining just the right clothing, jewelry and hair styles to make my dolls look their best. I played with joy, imagination and freedom. When I walked among the Fleur De Villes mannequins, I had flashbacks of some of my favorite gowns, high heels and sheer nightgowns - all fabulous and all made for an 11 inch doll. I love that the whimsy of Fleurs De Villes allows local floral designers the chance to give in to their joy and imagination and the freedom to create custom couture. The result makes us all swoon.

#nwfgs #fleursdevilles #seattle #gardenshow #floraldesign #floralgown #colorstory #flowerinstallation #finddelight #seattleblogger #floralglory #SLOWflowers

Zupan Markets & Coree Ryan: Fleurs De Villes: Northwest Flower & Garden Festival: Seattle 2020

I can see her riding side saddle on a prized horse, can't you? Her fitted jacket looks like the finest deep green silk...but it's made from leaves. This bit of floral glory was designed by Coree Ryan of Zupan's Markets. 

The collection of floral mannequins is an installation arranged by Fleurs De Villes, who "combines the love of flowers, local design talent, and bespoke, utterly unique displays, for experiential events like none other." 

I enjoyed listening to Fleurs De Villes founders, Karen Marshall and Tina Barkley, discuss their company with SLOW Flowers creator, Debra Prinzing in her podcast, just weeks before their Seattle debut. 

Hendrick's Gin was a sponsor of the Fleurs De Villes at the Northwest Flower & Garden Show and they had a beautiful bar area and floral cocktails adorned with edible flowers available for purchase. My impression was that it was designed to looked like the mannequins, in their floral glory, were guests at Seattle's biggest garden party. Well done.

I have long talked about encouraging people to find delight at the intersection of two things that they love. As I stood at the show, I realized that my appreciation for the gowns of Fleurs De Villes at the Northwest Flower & Garden Festival is because for me, they hit a bulls eye at the intersection of flowers and Barbies. 

I love Barbies and have such happy memories of combining just the right clothing, jewelry and hair styles to make my dolls look their best. I played with joy, imagination and freedom. When I walked among the Fleur De Villes mannequins, I had flashbacks of some of my favorite gowns, high heels and sheer nightgowns - all fabulous and all made for an 11 inch doll. I love that the whimsy of Fleurs De Villes allows local floral designers the chance to give in to their joy and imagination and the freedom to create custom couture. The result makes us all swoon.

#nwfgs #fleursdevilles #seattle #gardenshow #floraldesign #floralgown #colorstory #flowerinstallation #finddelight #seattleblogger #floralglory #SLOWflowers

Garden Party: Fleurs De Villes: Northwest Flower & Garden Show 2020

Does anyone else hear Berlin's song Masquerade playing in their head? I think it is so great that they designed a grande dame at a masquerade ball. The headpiece is a feat of engineering, the wispy mask makes me want to wear a mask and I never would have thought to layer orchids on top of white anthuriums to create a pattern- it's just wonderful. Garden Party Flowers created this sunshine yellow dress and they deserve your admiration. 

The collection of floral mannequins is an installation arranged by Fleurs De Villes, who "combines the love of flowers, local design talent, and bespoke, utterly unique displays, for experiential events like none other." 

I enjoyed listening to Fleurs De Villes founders, Karen Marshall and Tina Barkley, discuss their company with SLOW Flowers creator, Debra Prinzing in her podcast, just weeks before their Seattle debut. 

Hendrick's Gin was a sponsor of the Fleurs De Villes at the Northwest Flower & Garden Show and they had a beautiful bar area and floral cocktails adorned with edible flowers available for purchase. My impression was that it was designed to looked like the mannequins, in their floral glory, were guests at Seattle's biggest garden party. Well done.

I have long talked about encouraging people to find delight at the intersection of two things that they love. As I stood at the show, I realized that my appreciation for the gowns of Fleurs De Villes at the Northwest Flower & Garden Festival is because for me, they hit a bulls eye at the intersection of flowers and Barbies. 

I love Barbies and have such happy memories of combining just the right clothing, jewelry and hair styles to make my dolls look their best. I played with joy, imagination and freedom. When I walked among the Fleur De Villes mannequins, I had flashbacks of some of my favorite gowns, high heels and sheer nightgowns - all fabulous and all made for an 11 inch doll. I love that the whimsy of Fleurs De Villes allows local floral designers the chance to give in to their joy and imagination and the freedom to create custom couture. The result makes us all swoon.

#nwfgs #fleursdevilles #seattle #gardenshow #floraldesign #floralgown #colorstory #flowerinstallation #finddelight #seattleblogger #floralglory #SLOWflowers

Hazel Landscapes & Design: Fleurs De Villes: Northwest Flower & Garden Festival: Seattle 2020

Oh the genius of making ruffle layers out of corn husks, and adding a pouf with flowers themselves. I think she is fabulous, Hazel Landscapes. You have designed such a beautiful place for her to shine too. Lush and luxurious.   

This flower child got warm in the sun and happily shrugged off her moss & lichen coat (don't miss the detail of pussy willow cuffs!). 

The collection of floral mannequins is an installation arranged by Fleurs De Villes, who "combines the love of flowers, local design talent, and bespoke, utterly unique displays, for experiential events like none other." 

I enjoyed listening to Fleurs De Villes founders, Karen Marshall and Tina Barkley, discuss their company with SLOW Flowers creator, Debra Prinzing in her podcast, just weeks before their Seattle debut. 

Hendrick's Gin was a sponsor of the Fleurs De Villes at the Northwest Flower & Garden Show and they had a beautiful bar area and floral cocktails adorned with edible flowers available for purchase. My impression was that it was designed to looked like the mannequins, in their floral glory, were guests at Seattle's biggest garden party. Well done.

I have long talked about encouraging people to find delight at the intersection of two things that they love. As I stood at the show, I realized that my appreciation for the gowns of Fleurs De Villes at the Northwest Flower & Garden Festival is because for me, they hit a bulls eye at the intersection of flowers and Barbies. 

I love Barbies and have such happy memories of combining just the right clothing, jewelry and hair styles to make my dolls look their best. I played with joy, imagination and freedom. When I walked among the Fleur De Villes mannequins, I had flashbacks of some of my favorite gowns, high heels and sheer nightgowns - all fabulous and all made for an 11 inch doll. I love that the whimsy of Fleurs De Villes allows local floral designers the chance to give in to their joy and imagination and the freedom to create custom couture. The result makes us all swoon.

#nwfgs #fleursdevilles #seattle #gardenshow #floraldesign #floralgown #colorstory #flowerinstallation #finddelight #seattleblogger #floralglory #SLOWflowers

Ondine: Fleurs De Villes: Northwest Flower & Garden Festival: Seattle 2020

The floral designer's company name Ondine means "little wave or sea witch" in French and it represents her love of the sea and her island roots. I love the antique colors and vintage vibe she conveys with her beautiful creation, which won the People's Choice Award from the public. 

Look at how she wove sea grass to create a shell-like base. So inspired. I commented on Instagram to the designer, Hannah Rindlaub, that the gown reminded me of something Jane Seymour would wear in the movie, Somewhere in Time, a romantic movie set in Michigan (yay!) in 1912. Have you seen the film? It's one of my favorites. Congratulations, to the team at Ondine.

The collection of floral mannequins is an installation arranged by Fleurs De Villes, who "combines the love of flowers, local design talent, and bespoke, utterly unique displays, for experiential events like none other." 

I enjoyed listening to Fleurs De Villes founders, Karen Marshall and Tina Barkley, discuss their company with SLOW Flowers creator, Debra Prinzing in her podcast, just weeks before their Seattle debut. 

Hendrick's Gin was a sponsor of the Fleurs De Villes at the Northwest Flower & Garden Show and they had a beautiful bar area and floral cocktails adorned with edible flowers available for purchase. My impression was that it was designed to looked like the mannequins, in their floral glory, were guests at Seattle's biggest garden party. Well done.

I have long talked about encouraging people to find delight at the intersection of two things that they love. As I stood at the show, I realized that my appreciation for the gowns of Fleurs De Villes at the Northwest Flower & Garden Festival is because for me, they hit a bulls eye at the intersection of flowers and Barbies. 

I love Barbies and have such happy memories of combining just the right clothing, jewelry and hair styles to make my dolls look their best. I played with joy, imagination and freedom. When I walked among the Fleur De Villes mannequins, I had flashbacks of some of my favorite gowns, high heels and sheer nightgowns - all fabulous and all made for an 11 inch doll. I love that the whimsy of Fleurs De Villes allows local floral designers the chance to give in to their joy and imagination and the freedom to create custom couture. The result makes us all swoon.

#nwfgs #fleursdevilles #seattle #gardenshow #floraldesign #floralgown #colorstory #flowerinstallation #finddelight #seattleblogger #floralglory #barbies #hendricksgin #SLOWflowers

Seattle Floral Design: Fleurs De Villes: Northwest Flower & Garden Festival 2020

Here comes a masterpiece! Seattle Floral Design outdid themselves with this floral gown. She could glide down any grand staircase and the guests would know that the party could finally begin. 

Isn't this mass of blooms gorgeous? And I think it was so smart of them to show depth by highlighting under the skirt with deep raspberry blooms. Swoon. 

The collection of floral mannequins is an installation arranged by Fleurs De Villes, who "combines the love of flowers, local design talent, and bespoke, utterly unique displays, for experiential events like none other." 

I enjoyed listening to Fleurs De Villes founders, Karen Marshall and Tina Barkley, discuss their company with SLOW Flowers creator, Debra Prinzing in her podcast, just weeks before their Seattle debut. 

Hendrick's Gin was a sponsor of the Fleurs De Villes at the Northwest Flower & Garden Show and they had a beautiful bar area and floral cocktails adorned with edible flowers available for purchase. My impression was that it was designed to looked like the mannequins, in their floral glory, were guests at Seattle's biggest garden party. Well done.

I have long talked about encouraging people to find delight at the intersection of two things that they love. As I stood at the show, I realized that my appreciation for the gowns of Fleurs De Villes at the Northwest Flower & Garden Festival is because for me, they hit a bulls eye at the intersection of flowers and Barbies. 

I love Barbies and have such happy memories of combining just the right clothing, jewelry and hair styles to make my dolls look their best. I played with joy, imagination and freedom. When I walked among the Fleur De Villes mannequins, I had flashbacks of some of my favorite gowns, high heels and sheer nightgowns - all fabulous and all made for an 11 inch doll. I love that the whimsy of Fleurs De Villes allows local floral designers the chance to give in to their joy and imagination and the freedom to create custom couture. The result makes us all swoon.

#nwfgs #fleursdevilles #seattle #gardenshow #floraldesign #floralgown #colorstory #flowerinstallation #finddelight #seattleblogger #floralglory #barbies #hendricksgin #SLOWflowers

Tobey Nelson Events: Fleurs De Villes: Northwest Flower & Garden Festival 2020: Seattle

Where's Puck? That is the first thing that came to mind when I saw the incredible floral creation by Tobey Nelson Events. This nymph could be right out of A Midsummer Night's Dream.

She has fishnet stockings made of grass. And not fussy little nets, but big beautiful long diamond fishnet stockings. This is art.

And did you see that her boots are made of cushion mums? Did you notice that they made her some birch bark boot cuffs? I can't handle it. Can floral mannequins go down in history? I love these ridiculous and oh so perfect touches.

The collection of floral mannequins is an installation arranged by Fleurs De Villes, who "combines the love of flowers, local design talent, and bespoke, utterly unique displays, for experiential events like none other." 

I enjoyed listening to Fleurs De Villes founders, Karen Marshall and Tina Barkley, discuss their company with SLOW Flowers creator, Debra Prinzing in her podcast, just weeks before their Seattle debut. 

Hendrick's Gin was a sponsor of the Fleurs De Villes at the Northwest Flower & Garden Show and they had a beautiful bar area and floral cocktails adorned with edible flowers available for purchase. My impression was that it was designed to looked like the mannequins, in their floral glory, were guests at Seattle's biggest garden party. Well done.

I have long talked about encouraging people to find delight at the intersection of two things that they love. As I stood at the show, I realized that my appreciation for the gowns of Fleurs De Villes at the Northwest Flower & Garden Festival is because for me, they hit a bulls eye at the intersection of flowers and Barbies. 

I love Barbies and have such happy memories of combining just the right clothing, jewelry and hair styles to make my dolls look their best. I played with joy, imagination and freedom. When I walked among the Fleur De Villes mannequins, I had flashbacks of some of my favorite gowns, high heels and sheer nightgowns - all fabulous and all made for an 11 inch doll. I love that the whimsy of Fleurs De Villes allows local floral designers the chance to give in to their joy and imagination and the freedom to create custom couture. The result makes us all swoon.

#nwfgs #fleursdevilles #seattle #gardenshow #floraldesign #floralgown #colorstory #flowerinstallation #finddelight #seattleblogger #floralglory #SLOWflowers 

Smashing Petals: Fleurs De Ville: Northwest Flower & Garden Festival: Seattle 2020

This beautiful creation is called Annabella by Seattle florist, Smashing Petals. Her description reads "Our demure ingenue Annabella is wearing a gown inspired by John Galliano for Dior. Her blush pink and white dress is beaded and ruffled with carnations, baby's breath and roses. The paparazzi have chased her into a woodland meadow of cyclamen, the shyest of flowers."  

Has Little Bo Peep Lost Her Sheep? I can imagine her gathering up her skirts to bound across the meadow. I love how this designer managed to drape and gather the floral skirts as if they were being supported with real crinolines. Is duct tape the Spanx of floral mannequins?  

The collection of floral mannequins is an installation arranged by Fleurs De Villes, who "combines the love of flowers, local design talent, and bespoke, utterly unique displays, for experiential events like none other." 

I enjoyed listening to Fleurs De Villes founders, Karen Marshall and Tina Barkley, discuss their company with SLOW Flowers creator, Debra Prinzing in her podcast, just weeks before their Seattle debut. 

Hendrick's Gin was a sponsor of the Fleurs De Villes at the Northwest Flower & Garden Show and they had a beautiful bar area and floral cocktails adorned with edible flowers available for purchase. My impression was that it was designed to looked like the mannequins, in their floral glory, were guests at Seattle's biggest garden party. Well done.

I have long talked about encouraging people to find delight at the intersection of two things that they love. As I stood at the show, I realized that my appreciation for the gowns of Fleurs De Villes at the Northwest Flower & Garden Festival is because for me, they hit a bulls eye at the intersection of flowers and Barbies. 

I love Barbies and have such happy memories of combining just the right clothing, jewelry and hair styles to make my dolls look their best. I played with joy, imagination and freedom. When I walked among the Fleur De Villes mannequins, I had flashbacks of some of my favorite gowns, high heels and sheer nightgowns - all fabulous and all made for an 11 inch doll. I love that the whimsy of Fleurs De Villes allows local floral designers the chance to give in to their joy and imagination and the freedom to create custom couture. The result makes us all swoon.

#nwfgs #fleursdevilles #seattle #gardenshow #floraldesign #floralgown #colorstory #flowerinstallation #finddelight #seattleblogger #floralglory #SLOWflowers

Fleurs De Villes: Northwest Flower & Garden Festival: Seattle 2020: Flirty Fleurs

This beauty named Anastasia said "Stop, In the Name of Love" to me all week. Her neckline looked like a heart to me, hence the love and she so clearly wanted us to stop and absorb her striking pose. She had a dynamite leaf dress, embellished arm cuff and intricately woven parasol. She was prepared for the Seattle weather, but it didn't dare rain a drop. Created by Flirty Fleurs - all I can say is wow! 

The collection of floral mannequins is an installation arranged by Fleurs De Villes, who "combines the love of flowers, local design talent, and bespoke, utterly unique displays, for experiential events like none other." 

I enjoyed listening to Fleurs De Villes founders, Karen Marshall and Tina Barkley, discuss their company with SLOW Flowers creator, Debra Prinzing in her podcast, just weeks before their Seattle debut. 

Hendrick's Gin was a sponsor of the Fleurs De Villes at the Northwest Flower & Garden Show and they had a beautiful bar area and floral cocktails adorned with edible flowers available for purchase. My impression was that it was designed to looked like the mannequins, in their floral glory, were guests at Seattle's biggest garden party. Well done.

I have long talked about encouraging people to find delight at the intersection of two things that they love. As I stood at the show, I realized that my appreciation for the gowns of Fleurs De Villes at the Northwest Flower & Garden Festival is because for me, they hit a bulls eye at the intersection of flowers and Barbies. 

I love Barbies and have such happy memories of combining just the right clothing, jewelry and hair styles to make my dolls look their best. I played with joy, imagination and freedom. When I walked among the Fleur De Villes mannequins, I had flashbacks of some of my favorite gowns, high heels and sheer nightgowns - all fabulous and all made for an 11 inch doll. I love that the whimsy of Fleurs De Villes allows local floral designers the chance to give in to their joy and imagination and the freedom to create custom couture. The result makes us all swoon.

#nwfgs #fleursdevilles #seattle #gardenshow #floraldesign #floralgown #colorstory #flowerinstallation #finddelight #seattleblogger #floralglory #barbies #hendricksgin #SLOWflowers

Fleurs De Villes: Northwest Flower & Garden Festival: Seattle 2020: Terra Bella Flowers & Mercantile

This beauty by Terra Bella Flowers & Mercantile reminds me very much of a peacock. Is it just me? Grand while still being delicate. On Instagram, the designers say this is Persephone, symbolizing spring and new beginnings.  

The collection of floral mannequins is an installation arranged by Fleurs De Villes, who "combines the love of flowers, local design talent, and bespoke, utterly unique displays, for experiential events like none other." 

I enjoyed listening to Fleurs De Villes founders, Karen Marshall and Tina Barkley, discuss their company with SLOW Flowers creator, Debra Prinzing in her podcast, just weeks before their Seattle debut. 

Hendrick's Gin was a sponsor of the Fleurs De Villes at the Northwest Flower & Garden Show and they had a beautiful bar area and floral cocktails adorned with edible flowers available for purchase. My impression was that it was designed to looked like the mannequins, in their floral glory, were guests at Seattle's biggest garden party. Well done.

I have long talked about encouraging people to find delight at the intersection of two things that they love. As I stood at the show, I realized that my appreciation for the gowns of Fleurs De Villes at the Northwest Flower & Garden Festival is because for me, they hit a bulls eye at the intersection of flowers and Barbies. 

I love Barbies and have such happy memories of combining just the right clothing, jewelry and hair styles to make my dolls look their best. I played with joy, imagination and freedom. When I walked among the Fleur De Villes mannequins, I had flashbacks of some of my favorite gowns, high heels and sheer nightgowns - all fabulous and all made for an 11 inch doll. I love that the whimsy of Fleurs De Villes allows local floral designers the chance to give in to their joy and imagination and the freedom to create custom couture. The result makes us all swoon.

#nwfgs #fleursdevilles #seattle #gardenshow #floraldesign #floralgown #colorstory #flowerinstallation #finddelight #seattleblogger #floralglory #barbies #hendricksgin #SLOWflowers

Casablanca Floral: Fleurs De Villes: Northwest Flower & Garden Show: Seattle 2020

This post is to put the individual spotlight on Casablanca Floral. We should all arrive at a party and shrug our fabulous coat off our shoulders. I love the lacy racy underpinnings. I also think we need botanical strappy happy sandals. All she needs is a Hendrick's cocktail and I'm sure that can be arranged.

The collection of floral mannequins is an installation arranged by Fleurs De Villes, who "combines the love of flowers, local design talent, and bespoke, utterly unique displays, for experiential events like none other." 

I enjoyed listening to Fleurs De Villes founders, Karen Marshall and Tina Barkley, discuss their company with SLOW Flowers creator, Debra Prinzing in her podcast, just weeks before their Seattle debut. 

Hendrick's Gin was a sponsor of the Fleurs De Villes at the Northwest Flower & Garden Show and they had a beautiful bar area and floral cocktails adorned with edible flowers available for purchase. My impression was that it was designed to looked like the mannequins, in their floral glory, were guests at Seattle's biggest garden party. Well done.

I have long talked about encouraging people to find delight at the intersection of two things that they love. As I stood at the show, I realized that my appreciation for the gowns of Fleurs De Villes at the Northwest Flower & Garden Festival is because for me, they hit a bulls eye at the intersection of flowers and Barbies. 

I love Barbies and have such happy memories of combining just the right clothing, jewelry and hair styles to make my dolls look their best. I played with joy, imagination and freedom. When I walked among the Fleur De Villes mannequins, I had flashbacks of some of my favorite gowns, high heels and sheer nightgowns - all fabulous and all made for an 11 inch doll. I love that the whimsy of Fleurs De Villes allows local floral designers the chance to give in to their joy and imagination and the freedom to create custom couture. The result makes us all swoon.

#nwfgs #fleursdevilles #seattle #gardenshow #floraldesign #floralgown #colorstory #flowerinstallation #finddelight #seattleblogger #floralglory #SLOWflowers 

Fleurs De Villes: Northwest Flower & Garden Festival: Seattle 2020: Fena Flowers

I just love how designer Courtney at Fena Flowers repeated roses, carnations and orchids in shades of raspberry red, deep orchid, coral and soft rose to create an actual floral print. Tricking the eye to make it look like a flouncy floral fabric that is indeed floral. The dangling handbag is fantastic. The woven grass sleeve is so delicate, I didn't see that detail until I studied my photographs. The "feather" at the elbow has just the right flounce - a little 1930's flair. 

The collection of floral mannequins is an installation arranged by Fleurs De Villes, who "combines the love of flowers, local design talent, and bespoke, utterly unique displays, for experiential events like none other." 

I enjoyed listening to Fleurs De Villes founders, Karen Marshall and Tina Barkley, discuss their company with SLOW Flowers creator, Debra Prinzing in her podcast, just weeks before their Seattle debut. 

Hendrick's Gin was a sponsor of the Fleurs De Villes at the Northwest Flower & Garden Show and they had a beautiful bar area and floral cocktails adorned with edible flowers available for purchase. My impression was that it was designed to looked like the mannequins, in their floral glory, were guests at Seattle's biggest garden party. Well done.

 

I have long talked about encouraging people to find delight at the intersection of two things that they love. As I stood at the show, I realized that my appreciation for the gowns of Fleurs De Villes at the Northwest Flower & Garden Festival is because for me, they hit a bulls eye at the intersection of flowers and Barbies. 

I love Barbies and have such happy memories of combining just the right clothing, jewelry and hair styles to make my dolls look their best. I played with joy, imagination and freedom. When I walked among the Fleur De Villes mannequins, I had flashbacks of some of my favorite gowns, high heels and sheer nightgowns - all fabulous and all made for an 11 inch doll. I love that the whimsy of Fleurs De Villes allows local floral designers the chance to give in to their joy and imagination and the freedom to create custom couture. The result makes us all swoon.

#nwfgs #fleursdevilles #seattle #gardenshow #floraldesign #floralgown #colorstory #flowerinstallation #finddelight #seattleblogger #floralglory 

Northwest Flower & Garden Festival 2020: City Living: Urban Earth Nursery

The City Living area of the Northwest Flower & Garden Festival is designed to highlight the many ways you can design a very small patio or balcony area. Each area is 6 ft x 12 ft and can represent a small apartment balcony or condo courtyard. The year I moved to Seattle, it was said that 25,000 people came with me. So many people that can benefit from garden show features like this, tailored to living in small spaces. 

This mini garden is called “Alice’s Woodland” by Urban Earth Nursery.

It combines birch stools, succulent planters, moss pads and a froth of flowering quince to make a magical "sit and dream" atmosphere.

#cityliving #nwfgs #seattle #apartmentliving #balconylife #smallgarden #bigdreamsmallspaces #finddelight #beautyofeverydaylife

Northwest Flower & Garden Festival 2020: The Zen of Furiosa Garden

This garden called The Zen of Furiosa "is inspired by the Imperator Furiosa's passion to make beauty out of what might be considered junk in the 2015 film, Max Max: Fury Road." The garden creators are Redwood Builders and Bonsaiko. The garden was designed by Anthony Fajarillo.

Look at this incredible bonsai. This is a Bird's Nest Spruce.

It is a tribute to time that metal turns to rust and matches the color of the bonsai trunks. Look at the machine parts sunk into the ground - incredible. I love how this garden blends what could be ugly with what is decidedly beautiful and serene. I wanted to sit and look a long time at this garden - I considered borrowing the designer's stool and parking myself for a while. I am thankful that I got to see it as a judge, for there were very few people around and it was a lovely experience. 

I don’t think I’ve ever really been drawn to this kind of garden before, but the arrangement and harmony spoke to me. Look at the bonsai above, there is a large flat saw blade embedded in the trunk and rusted nails impaled in the trunk. Appreciate the container, directional growth and balance conveyed. This bonsai sings with harmony. It is a Japanese Black Pine.

#nwfgs #bonsai #harmony #madmax #thebeautyofeverydaylife #finddelight #seattleblogger

GardenComm Awards Outdoor Living Award: Northwest Flower & Garden Festival: Orca Recovery Garden

I was honored to judge alongside photographer Mark Turner and freelance writer Erica Browne Grivas at the Northwest Flower and Garden Festival this year. As members of GardenComm (formerly Garden Writers of America), we were in search of a garden that exhibited "the most beautiful, creative, and educational ideas to encourage effective use of horticulture and design for functional outdoor living environments."  We were proud to give the second annual Garden Communicators International award for Earth-friendly Outdoor Living Garden to the Orca Recovery Garden. This garden was a collaboration between the Puget Sound Conservation Districts and Jessi Bloom of NW Bloom-Ecological Services. GardenComm would like to thank to Becky Heath of Brent and Becky’s Bulbs for sponsoring the award.

We planned to get a photograph of our judges with Jessi Bloom and members of the Puget Sound Conservation District Staff, but unfortunately our schedules did not sync up and we had to settle for a photo of our judges with the winning garden. 

I am including the wording directly from the Orca Recovery Garden section on the Northwest Flower & Garden Show website so that you can understand the designers' intent:   

"The Orca Recovery Garden shows how simple actions can have significant impacts that benefit wildlife all the way down the watershed to our iconic Orca. The garden highlights low-impact sustainability practices that are easy to do. These include a rain garden that infiltrates storm water from the landscape and permeable pavers, a compost bin to build healthy soil, re-purposed canoes as raised veggie beds and woody debris that provides multiple benefits such as habitat, retaining and building the soil. Take-home ideas: Small actions can have big impacts. Low-impact design ideas, rain gardens and healthy soil to retain and clean water; natural yard care; soil building and compost techniques, growing food, re-purposed materials."  

I love that the focus of this garden is a small family growing the food they need.

When I first saw this grand garden display I said “Oh I’m so glad Greg Brady finally got his own place.” But honestly, isn’t it wonderful? This is a perfect  Pacific Northwest display. Do you see the backpack with the evergreen branches coming out? That is to represent hiking with a tool to be able to reforest as you move through the wild - fantastic.

Throughout the week, I overheard people loving this canoe and the idea of planting vegetables in a re-purposed vessel.

Our judge, Mark Turner is the author and photographer of Wildflowers of the Pacific Northwest, an American Horticultural Society Book Award winner (co-authored with Phyllis Gustafson) and Trees and Shrubs of the Pacific Northwest (co-authored with Ellen Kuhlmann). It was incredibly interesting for me to hear Mark name the native trees and plants in this beautiful show garden, why the habit was appropriate for them and where each species thrived in the wild. You can click this link and see a list of the 85 plants used in this spectacular display.

Thank you, GardenComm, for allowing me to judge the show again this year. Erica and Mark are wonderful colleagues. It has been a wonderful year being the Regional Director for AK, ID, MT, OR, WA & WY. 

#GardenComm #NWFGS #springfever #pugetsound #pugetsoundconservationdistricts #conservation