As I slowly get my bearings in the Pacific Northwest, I still have a lot of questions when it comes to the garden. It was exciting to move to a more temperate zone (from 6a to 8b) but my new-construction house means my blank slate garden has gotten softer edges and a bit of texture, but not really changed all that much in 5 years. I now know that roses love it in pots here, so I can take advantage of the sun at the front of the house and have enormous healthy rose bushes.
Where do I flush out ideas for our future? The Northwest
Flower & Garden festival. My experience with the GWA (Garden Writers of
America, now known as GardenComm) began in the show’s press room. As a blogger
since 2007 and a flower enthusiast, I was thrilled to cover this famous show. I
have self-published 3 books that highlight my love of flower arranging,
gardening, edible flowers and floral portraits.
My mission as a writer and photographer is to dissolve the barrier
between busy American women who get their information and inspiration through
their phones and the intimidating “you-need-to-know-a-lot” world of flowers.
I was carrying one of my DELIGHT magazine bags (the Rose
issue) and it caught the eye of Marianne Binetti and Mary-Kate Mackey. We all
started talking and the next thing I knew, they were introducing me to everyone
in the press room (loads of GWA members, of course) and encouraging me to come
to the GWA Connect Meeting the next night. I met a whirl of members who echoed
a message of “I’m so glad you joined!” They were supportive of my work and how
I fit into the new definition of garden communicating.
It’s been 7 years later now and I feel like I’ve found
long-lost cousins. We speak the same language and love the same things. I walk
into the Washington Convention, and I am back at a botanical family reunion,
hugging those I’ve gotten to know better through Facebook and introducing
myself to names I only know on-screen. It is fantastic.
I want you to buy two tickets to the Northwest Flower and
Garden Show (early bird pricing is available thru 2/15) call a friend and
attend the show. You will be inspired and delighted. I promise. Continue
reading to see just what the show is like.
From my perspective, the Northwest Flower & Garden
Festival covers the intersections of all the things I love. Cakes that look
like birch trees; air plants arranged like wallpaper and blown glass vegetables
that add visual vitamins to any kitchen. It is impossible not to be inspired.
Attend free lectures. Watch experts compete in “Container Wars” over the best way
to make a showstopping planted container.
At the Northwest Flower & Garden Festival, I start my
week with the media tour hosted by Marianne Binetti. Trying to absorb and photograph each of 18 grand show gardens in a manner of
minutes is difficult. We all appreciate Marianne’s insight and coaching to keep
our lenses focused on the important elements and story-telling details. This
year’s theme is “Spring Vibes Only,” and I can’t wait to see the gardens. Built
by some of the region’s best designers and landscape professionals, these show
gardens are a breath of fresh air. The
outside is brought indoors. Green grass, blooming trees, water flowing,
camellias flowering and a carpet of bulbs in bloom – it is the reassurance of
spring that we all need in February.
I always take one day of the show to walk the floor with my
mom. We admire the show gardens, search for seeds, investigate a vertical
aero-growing system and always buy beeswax candles. When we stop for lunch, we
always end up sharing a table with other plant lovers and these native
gardeners give great advice. It is the perfect way to spend a winters day and I
hope I’ve enticed you to join us this year. I know you’ll find delight.
#plantlover #gardener #northwestflowerandgardenfestival #springvibesonly #seattleevents #horticulture #seattle #garden #color #planning #livingwall
