Garden Fling 2024: Proven Winners Welcome Reception at Point Ruston

Thank you, Proven Winners! The 2024 Puget Sound Garden Fling began on Thursday night with a wonderful Welcome Reception and Dinner at Point Ruston sponsored by Proven Winners, The #1 Plant Brand. Look at the incredible rooftop party space we had at Farrelli's overlooking Puget Sound. This is how you welcome a group of 100 to the Pacific Northwest.

We had a wonderful meal outdoors and thank heaven for our name badges because there were so many people milling about. In addition to my roomie, Seattle Times journalist Erica Brown Grivas, I think I knew about 10 other people so it was a great opportunity to mix & mingle. 

Natalie Carmolli, Marketing & Public Relations Specialist for Proven Winners ColorChoice addressed the attendees at the Welcome Reception and said that Proven Winners was pleased to be a longstanding sponsor of The Fling and that she hoped we enjoyed ourselves on this beautiful evening. 

Thank you! It's going to be an amazing Fling.

#provenwinners #pwcolorchoice #gardenfling2024 #pugetsoundfling #pugetsoundgardens 

Flavorette Honey-Apricot Rose by Proven Winners

My edible offerings are expanding! This is the new Flavorette Honey-Apricot rose by Proven Winners - isn't she pretty? Imagine those petals scattered on a cheese plate or mixed into a salad with melon balls and mozzarella balls? Infused into a salad dressing? You know I am going to try it all different ways.

This plant was sent to me by Proven Winners to grow and write about and I am grateful for the opportunity. It arrived in August and it was found by a deer so I had to move the pot strategically to protect it as it got established. This year she is doing great. I've got garlic clips nearby to deter any deer (who usually don't walk through the neighborhood until fall, thankfully) and she is off to a great start. 

I love growing and using edible flowers in entertaining (and in ice cubes, sometimes just for me). Stay tuned. These blooms are the first to open on this rose this year and I know it is going to be a great summer.

#provenwinners #ediblerose #flavorette #edibleflowers 
 

Hydrangeas Are Thriving

I had no idea how much I could love hydrangeas or that there were so many different hydrangeas until I moved to the Pacific Northwest. Nine years ago I lived in Michigan with a bunch of Nikko Blue hydrangeas and I thought I was perfectly happy. Then I saw this:

a pink and white hydrangea called Sensation by Hydrangea Plus in Oregon. Whoa. I bought it and planted it immediately in my new empty backyard.

As a garden writer, I am occasionally given plants to grow in my garden before the come to market. I can see how the develop and if they thrive in my area. These Proven Winners Rockin' Blue Suede Shoes Salvia and Invincibelle Ruby hydrangea have really come into their own after being in the ground a few years. 

I can't find the tag for this beautiful hydrangea. I'm sure I bought it while the house was still being finished, I was so excited. The petals look like they are made of porcelain. White and blue and curved up like little bowls. I absolutely love it. 

#hydrangeas #pnwgardens