We weren’t sure it would happen– after all the temperature had been below freezing for the week before the scheduled planting day and on the day the plants were delivered it was an icy 18 degrees! Would the plants even be alive for planting? Would we have enough volunteers to put in the huge collection of plants donated by the flower show’s generous landscapers and discovery garden exhibitors? How would we know where to place the plants? Would the clients at Skyland Trail South be comfortable with a bunch of volunteers working around their residential space? These were the fears rolling around my head the week before the installation of the Southeastern Horticultural Society’s Legacy Garden at Skyland Trail.

I needn’t have worried!

Saturday arrived and the sun came out warming the 30+ volunteers and landscapers gathering to begin the monumental task of planting trees and bushes, spreading pine straw and creating the long planned Legacy Garden. Alex Smith , our Legacy Garden Advisor, placed the plants in perfect locations and many of his staff volunteered their time and expertise to get the planting started. The auger (rented for digging holes) and many hands made short work of the project. A delicious lunch was provided for all by the chef at Skyland Trail. SHS volunteers, Skyland Trail Staff, Board members and clients worked together to create something wonderful for the residents of Skyland Trail South and along the way we found ourselves blessed beyond measure. Working together for a common goal teamed with the healing power of nature made this a day to remember.
-Nan Henson
2009 Legacy Garden Chair

It doesn’t take a village to put on a Flower Show; it takes an army! 6 weeks have passed since the 2009 Southeastern Flower Show closed and we are still hearing accolades pouring in daily from attendees, the voluteers, exhibitors, landscapers, vendors and even from our new host, the Cobb Galleria Centre.

The beautiful gardens, displays, competitions, speakers, demos, youth activities, presentations, entertainment, retail shopping and concessions haven’t been as popular in years. Lower ticket prices, free parking and a much more walking freindly facility started everyone on the right foot.

Thanks from the bottom of my heart for making 2009 a wonderful Flower Show. We are busy planning next year’s show; dates, theme and details will be posted on www.flowershow.org in the next few months.

Chuck Henry
Director of Show Design

It’s hard to say good-bye now that the 2009 Southeastern Flower Show has closed, and all the terrific exhibits and demonstrations are being packed away and removed.  But the flower show will be back, bigger and better than ever before, in 2010, so mark your calendar now (I’m serious–go grab that calendar right now, before you forget, so you’ll save the date.  Once you’ve made a gardening friend, you should keep him, and we want to see you again.)

I’ve had so much fun blogging for you about the show.  I hope you’ve enjoyed the pictures and news I’ve shared.  I’d love to see any pictures you made of the show, too, so please feel free to leave a comment here, or email me at inkycreek@gmail.com.  Let us know what you liked, and what you’d like to see in 2010.  With your permission, I’ll forward your suggestions and remarks to the good folks who direct the show.

I’ll say good-bye for now, and I’m sending my best wishes that you will have a wonderful, successful garden throughout the year.

Green blessings to you and yours!

Happy gardening,

Lynn

www.LynnCoulter.com

author, Gardening with Heirloom Seeds

It would take a poet to describe exactly how beautiful the flowers are at this year’s garden show.  It’s like that old saying, “you had to be there.”  You have to be here, at the show, to truly appreciate the colors and fragrance of the blossoms, the abundance of environmentally-friendly ideas and products, and the fun and entertainment of walking around in what is actually a huge garden inside the Cobb Galleria.

The 2009 show ends today, Feb. 1, at 4 P.M., but you still have time to come and spend the afternoon.  For directions, ticket prices, or other info, click on www.flowershow.org.

Hope to see you here!

Lynn
www.LynnCoulter.com

this is what you get when you muck around in the mud: beautiful flowers

My garden boots sure don’t look like this–do yours?  Probably not, because real gardeners come in from the flower bed or veggie patch covered in mud, but then again, this is just another fabulous entry at this year’s flower show.  Created by Diane Festa and Barbara Slick of the Peachtree Garden Club, this entry in the “Weekend Passion” category won lots of ribbons and a silvery trophy.  Be sure to look for it when you come by–it’s whimsical and fun and absolutely gorgeous, all at the same time.

Here’s another snapshot I made of a floral tableau.  The designer really captured the beautiful colors of the fabric in his or her choice of flowers:

the designer echoed the bold fabric colors in the choice of flowes

I love stargazer lilies, so I was delighted to find this display:

stunning floral displays await around every corner of the show

The show ends at four today, so hurry over to the Cobb Galleria.  You still have time to see it all!

cheers,

Lynn

Or maybe this post should be titled, “Make Something Quick,” because that’s what your kids can do today at the show.

The good folks from The Home Depot are coming at 11:30 this morning and again at 1 P.M. to lead a kids’ potting and building workshop.  You do need to sign up ahead of time, so hurry over to their booth as soon as you arrive–space is limited!  The activity takes about 30 minutes.  But even if the workshop is full when you get there, don’t despair.   Local Home Depot stores offer even more kids’ workshops, and they’d be glad to give you details.  While your kids learn how to use tools safely, they make fun, practical things like bird feeders, tool boxes, and bug houses (okay–maybe a bug house falls more under the fun than practical category).  Just click here for more information, or ask at your local Home Depot store: Home Depot Kids Workshops.

Look for this friendly lion at the flower show today, too.

roar----this lion marks the entrance to the kids' play area

He’s guarding the entrance to a kids’ play and exploration area.  Don’t you love his fuzzy green collar?

Okay for now….check back with me later.  We’ll have more to tell you before the show closes for 2009 at 4 o’clock today!

cheers,

Lynn

Passion---this year's theme at the flower show

No, friends, you haven’t stumbled onto the cover of a new romance novel, although the guy in this picture does look a lot like Fabio.  This is a poster on display at the flower show, and as you can see, there’s a cut-out where the woman’s face should be.  It’s there so that you can stand behind the poster and look out, while someone on the other side makes your picture.  Voila—you’re the star of a steamy scene.

And while you’re picturing yourself with this Fabio wanna-be, picture yourself here at the flower show, too.  I’ve been here most of the day, and I’m having a blast.

I’d like to extend sincere thanks to some friends who came by to see me as I signed books today at the Eagle Eye Bookstore inside the show:  Monteen, Cathy, Carolyn, Brenda, and Jeff (it was a pleasure to meet you at last).  How fun to see you all, and to see you all enjoying the fabulous flowers and landscapes.

The Eagle Eye booksellers are outstanding, too.  Whatever you are looking for, whether it’s a glossy coffee table book, an herbal handbook, a field guide for birders, or a reference book, Doug Robinson and his knowledgeable staff can steer you to it.  Don’t forget that many fine authors will be signing at the show on Sunday, so check them out.

Kids will also find plenty to do tomorrow, Feb. 1.  At 12:30 P.M., Louise Estabrook comes onboard to tell them about the wonders of worms–and worms are wonderful, when it comes to improving the soil.

At 1:30 P.M. and again at 2:30, the Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeepers will lead an “Enviroscape” activity for the small fry, to show them where water comes from, how it gets to our homes, and where it goes after it leaves our houses.

At 2 P.M., the Imaginators take the stage to perform “Georgia Grown,” a mini-musical.

Don’t miss children’s author Joyce Revoir at 3 P.M., as she spins stories for kids and helps them make a craft.

The show closes at 4 on Sunday.  But don’t worry–you still have an entire day to take it all in.

For today, I’ll leave you with a few more pictures I snapped:

Don't miss the designs created by Dutch floral arranger Els Teunissen

an Eco-Brite display showing how to collect rainwater run-off from your roof in a storage barrel

hydrangeas in a landscape setting

More to come!  Check back here on Sunday!

Lynn

the garden in summer

Whether you want to grow a single perfect blossom or learn how to raise fresh veggies and herbs for your table, the 2009 Southeastern Flower Show has something to teach you, something to show you, and something to inspire you.

The beautiful image you see above is an entry from the “Passion in Bloom” interpretive design category, featuring “The Mother Earth  Four Seasons Statue.”  Now take a look below to see how the same statue was accessorized with different fruits and flowers to symbolize spring:

Another entry in the "Mother Earth" intrepretive design category

Aren’t they beautiful?   But let’s say you’re a gardener who prefers simplicity and perfection.  The show has exhibits to suit your taste, too, like this outstanding camellia blossom, submitted by a gardener from the North Georgia Camellia Society:

'Dixie Knight Supreme' camellia, entered by John Newsome of Atlanta

I was enchanted by the tiny fantasy gardens in the “Heart of the Garden” Class G17, Miniature Garden category.   Here’s one of my favorites, a “Cupid’s Eye View” created by Mary Braswell of Stone Mountain, Georgia.   Mary designed her small garden with dwarf Alberta spruces, boxwoods, miniature thyme, agaves, and, of course, a sprightly “Cupid” to overlook the romantic cottage:

"Cupid's Wild Passion," 3rd place winner in the Miniature Garden category

I lingered awhile to talk with landscaper Ed Castro about his exhibit, “A Garden to Love.”  He was at the show with Chris Hopper, the creative force behind the exhibit.  Chris told me that he used the 2009 Southern Living plant collection, which includes Encore azaleas and various annuals, among other plants.  Ed pointed out that their garden also incorporated many Eco-Brite ideas, products, and concepts. Eco-Brite, you may remember from one of my earlier posts, is dedicated to encouraging environmental stewardship through the use of garden features like water permeable paving stones, grass strips, and more.  Stop by and ask Ed to tell you how to add these earth-friendly features to your own garden.

Ed Castro's landscape exhibit includes the Southern Living plant collection and environmentally-friendly Eco-Brite ideas and products.

I could go on and on, but you don’t want to keep reading about the flower show when you could be here in person to see it, right?  So come by the Cobb Galleria; the show runs tonight through 8 P.M., and opens again on Saturday and Sunday.

On Saturday, here’s a quick sample of the authors you can meet at Eagle Eyes Books, which is located inside the show:

11 A.M. – Lynn Coulter (okay, that’s me!), author of Gardening with Heirloom Seeds

12 Noon – Ashton Ritchie, author of Scotts Southern Lawns

1 P.M. – John Wilson, author of Tales from a Tuscan Table

2 P.M. – Ashton Ritchie (again)

3 P.M. – Grady Thrasher, children’s author

4 P.M. – Allan Armitage, author of Armitage’s Native Plants for North American Gardens and other books

5 P.M. – Pamela Crawford, author of Instant Container Gardens

…and there are many more, including Joyce Revoir, Nicholas Kniel, Polly Mattox, and Helen Bost.   More authors and more great books arrive on Sunday!

I’ll have more pictures and show news for you tomorrow.  Until then–hope to see you at the show!

cheers,

Lynn

Allan Armitage

you never know who you'll run into at the flower show

Ladies and gentleman, Elvis hasn’t left the building….he is in the building.

Well, okay.  There’s a poster of Elvis inside the Cobb Galleria, not the King himself.  But I bet he’d be here if he could.  After all, one of his biggest songs was about a “hunk-a, hunk-a burning love”  He’d fit right in, because Elvis was all about passion, and passion is the theme of this year’s show.

springtime is already here, inside the Galleria

Take a look above to see what I mean.  Here’s a gorgeous display of begonias and primroses, created by a gardener with a passion for springtime flowers and colors.  You’ll see these kinds of floral arrangements at the show.

Or how about the landscape entry below, designed to provide a romantic hideaway?  It’s complete with a cozy fire pit, soft pillows for lounging, an afghan to toss over your shoulders if the evening gets chilly, and even a few books to read.  Oh, look…is that a brochure for the flower show lying atop the basket?  I believe it is.  You’ll get your own copy when you visit, so you’ll have a handy map and schedule of the talks, demos, and displays.

passion: c'mon baby---light my fire(pit)

What’s that?  You’re wondering:  when I visit the show, what can I take home to my significant other, to get him or her interested in my passion for gardening? Problem solved; see below.   There are fresh flowers for sale, as well as potted plants, tools, bird feeders, urns, wind chimes, gloves, orchids, and MUCH more for your garden–ahem, I mean, for your significant other.  After all, you’re not buying for yourself, are you? (I did.  But maybe that’s just me.)

take home a living gift for yourself or a friend

And while you’re at the show, pick up some ideas for setting your table for a romantic dinner when you get home—nothing like a delicious meal and the right atmosphere to create some passion, yes?   Here’s “A Night of Passion Along the Nile,” created by the Roswell Garden Club.  This won a first place trophy for the best tableau.   You’ve got to see it in person—this snapshot doesn’t do it justice:

"Night on the Nile," 1st place winner in the "Rendevous for Two" category

I’ll have more to share with you tomorrow, including a line-up of wonderful authors that you can meet at Doug Robinson’s Eagle Eye Bookstore, located within the show.  This is a great time to have your favorite writer sign a copy that you can give to someone special for Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day—you get the idea.

I’ll see you at the show on Saturday, from 11 AM to 1 PM, when I’ll be signing copies of my book, Gardening with Heirloom Seeds.

Until then, meet me back here tomorrow for more pictures and news of the show!

cheers,

Lynn
www.LynnCoulter.com

….to the 2009 Southeastern Flower Show!  I’ve just arrived home after visiting the show on opening day, and it’s spectacular.

"Roxanne's Place," created by the Boxwood Garden Club

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so here are a few snapshots of what you’ll see when you visit.  Tomorrow, I’ll tell you more about the speakers and demonstrations coming up the rest of this week.   For now, scroll down to see some of the landscapes, floral arrangements, and other beautiful displays that caught my eye.

Enjoy!

(p.s.—I’ll be back at the show on Sat., from 11 A.M. to 1 P.M. to sign copies of my book, Gardening with Heirloom Seeds, in the Eagle Eye Bookstore inside the show.)

you'll find herbs and veggie gardens at the show, as well as flowers

this stunning arrangement with chartreuse and red blossoms sat on a black-draped table--very dramatic!

fall was represented at the show too, by this arrangement of lemon-yellow sunflowers

one gardener won a ribbon for this exquisite amaryllis

spring arrived today in atlanta (in the Cobb Galleria, anyway!)