Spring at Homestead Gardens

Davidsonville MD, March 13, 2011: Homestead Gardens had a Mediterranean theme for its 2011 garden show. The exhibits seemed tamer than years gone by but the blooms out of season were spectacular, especially the dogwood.

The Wally wall pocket for vertical planting:
















The potager:
Blue and white frames a "Mediterannean" garden:
















Percallis 'Senetti magenta' (formerly Cineraria):
























Ranunculus:








The "Blue Mystique Orchid" is dyed by a patented "natural" process; this hybrid orchid is more natural:












This Zen frog will meditate in your garden;

Philadelphia's "Springtime in Paris"

Philadelphia PA, March 8, 2011: "Oo la la la, c'était magnifique!" This year's flower show did not seem as over the top as in previous years. While the traffic pattern in the special exhibits area seemed much, much better, the crowd seemed much, much bigger and the crowd stayed throughout the afternoon. This was the first time we saw paramedics rescue patrons who had collapsed; and not just 1, but 2 and then 3.

The flower show is about the only place where blossoms from many seasons bloom all at once:


The special exhibits were anchored by the base of the Eiffel Tower. One saw the vertical uprights swoop to the first horizontal level and the continue on seemingly through the roof of the convention center. The illusion worked brilliantly. Beyond was a carousel which functioned as a performance stage, but many of the animals had escaped and were featured in the landscapes in front of the Eiffel Tower!




















Philly Musette:

Much of Paris was at hand, particularly the Belle Époque, as well as the sewers, the Phantom of the Opera, Notre Dame and the Paris of American cinema. This fin de siècle salon featured "floral" draperies:
Lighted curtains mimicked the clustered columns of Notre Dame, which was set for a wedding, and the wedding banquet as well, and decorated with floral gargoyles (center right):



























































The Paris catacombs were Bill's best of show:



The human shadows projected from compositions of recycled junk were David's best of show:


















Also, for good measure, there was a little France. One exhibit featured Monet's "Waterlilies":













But Monet was overshadowed by these spectacular metal gates and fences:












Another, had the painter in the flesh:












An outdoor patio design exhibitor featured a waterfall which screened a screen; they were screening Ratatouille, mais oui!



















And, beyond France, there was Martinique, Tahiti and even the Louisiana bayou.












One of our favorite exhibits was an homage to Hollywood's romance with Paris; the various floral designs were inspired by production numbers from American musicals that were playing on video monitors in front of the designs:

What seemed to be missing was the French Republic and the tourist industry.

HORTICULTURE: It's all about the individual specimens. Exhibits are judged twice--early in the week and later in the week, seeming round the clock.

And orchids for days:





EDUCATION. And every so often, one learns something:










Bonsai in action:
Doug Tallamy was evangelizing for native plants as beneficial for insects, birds and other animals:
DESIGN. The jardin potager was in the window boxes:
















Julia Child inspired these vignettes:














We're fascinated by the dried flower art:

















































Lucky Lindy arriving in Paris?
































Picasso inspired this table setting with the cubist chandelier (left):



















More recyling:












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