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!)

It’s finally here, the first day of the long-awaited Southeastern Flower Show!

spring (and a hint of summer) arrive today at the flower show!

There’s so much to see and do, you’ll want to wear a pair of good walking shoes as you stroll through the many beautiful gardens we have planned for you this year.  Bring your notebook, so you can jot down ideas for your own landscape, container plantings, and floral designs—you’ll find plenty of inspiration and “ah”-inspiring ideas starting today through Sunday.

Hope to see you at the show. I’ll be arriving around 5 P.M. to blog live and make some pictures of the gorgeous flowers, shrubs, and other plants.

Look forward to meeting you!

cheers,

Lynn

your “master blogger” for the flower show

Gardening friends, there’s just one day left, and the 2009 Southeastern Flower Show will open its doors for the 22nd year!

I can’t wait.  Strolling through the fabulous gardens, smelling sweet-scented daffodils and narcissus, learning new ways to grow my favorite plants, and discovering new plants to grow—the flower show is the highlight of the season.

Remember, this year the show is in a new location, at the Cobb Galleria in Atlanta.  Parking is free.

The show opens on Wed., Jan. 28 and it’s packed with things to see and do.  I want to catch Lori Kunkle, owner of Posh Pots, when she speaks from the Demo Stage at 11:30 A.M. on how to make a garden chair (haven’t you seen those old wooden chairs with cane seats, moved outdoors and converted into living flower “pots”?  I want to make one for my own garden.)

magnolia stellata

At 4 P.M. you’ll find Tom Johnson, from Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, on the Home Depot Stage, discussing “Creating the Romantic Garden.”   Magnolia Plantation is located in Charleston, SC, and it’s one of the last large-scale romantic gardens left in the U.S.  Tom says that romantic gardens never use anything that would remind you of everyday life, so he’s the go-to guy for tips on making your own garden lush, glorious, and “ah-inspiring”.   Just in time for Valentine’s Day, too!

Dennis McHugh, from the wonderful Atlanta Bonsai Society, finishes up the list of speakers at 6 P.M., with a workshop from the Demo Stage.  And of course there are many other great speakers and demonstrations on the schedule—these are just a few of the ones I want to see.

Japanese bonsai

Be sure to look for me on Wednesday.  I’ll be blogging live from the show daily, and on Jan. 28, I’ll be there at 5 P.M.  You can’t miss me—I’ll be wearing the straw hat in the picture below.  I’d be happy to sign my book for you, Gardening with Heirloom Seeds, which will be available in the Eagle Eye Bookstore inside the show.

I’d also love to hear your comments about what you’re seeing and enjoying the most.  I’m taking my camera, so I’ll post snapshots of some of the exhibits and displays.

See you at the show!

cheers,

Lynn

“Master Blogger” for the 2009 SE Flower Show

Passion is the flower show’s theme this year, an emotion we usually associate with red.  But did you know that green is the new color for passion?

It is, thanks to the community gardens sprouting up in suburbs, schools, senior centers, and downtown areas.  A community garden is simply a piece of land tended by people who are passionate about helping others.  Although they may keep a portion of their harvest to share among themselves, they also donate their fruits and vegetables to local food banks or soup kitchens.

Want to help?  Fred Conrad is the Community Garden Coordinator for the Atlanta Food Bank, and you can reach him at fred.conrad@acfb.org or call 678.553.5932.

Community gardens help in many ways.  Not only do they feed the hungry, but they also beautify our neighborhoods, encourage fellowship, and preserve green space.  When you join in, you’re not just helping to grow a garden.  You’re helping grow a community.

digging in, to raise a harvest of hope and help

Cheers,
Lynn

Be sure to bring your kids to the flower show on Saturday, Jan. 31.  If you’ve been reading, you already know that storyteller Joyce Revoir will be here at 12 noon, and author Grady Thrasher will spin more tales for the little ones at 5:30 P.M.

Saturday is also the day you can meet the Imaginators. They’re a group of entertainers from the Children’s Museum of Atlanta, and they’ll perform a 20-minute “mini-musical” for students and kids at 2:30 P.M.  The musical, “Georgia Grown,” is all about the plants that provide healthy food for us to eat, and the trees that give us fresh, clean air to breathe.

Hey–you can come even if you’re not a kid!

See you there.

Lynn

author, Gardening with Heirloom Seeds and your “Master Blogger” for the 2009 Southeastern Flower Show

Twilight - time for a discounted ticket, Wed. through Fri., at the flower show.

No, no, no….don’t let this title mislead you. We’re not talking those best-selling vampire books right now.

But we do want you to think about that special time of day known as twilight. Here in Atlanta, it’s good for one thing: getting stuck in traffic.

So why not plan a twilight trip to the flower show on your way home instead?  Join us Wed. through Friday nights (that’s Jan. 28 through Jan. 30) for a special $10 discounted Twilight Ticket. You’ll still find all the wonderful attractions that you’d see during the day, PLUS you’ll enjoy nightly entertainment, speakers, demonstrations, and a cash bar.

So skip the traffic for once, and come relax in our gardens instead.  We promise:  you won’t need to bring any garlic!

Cheers,
Lynn
Your “Master Blogger” for the SE Flower Show

Emily G's jams - try them for a taste of love!

Tired of the same old strawberry jam on your muffins?  The jam-makers at Emily G’s have a treat in store for you:  how about some rhubarb marmalade or chocolate cherry jam?

Emily G’s is a Dunwoody, GA-based company run by two outstanding caterers:  Emily Myers and Gina Bodell (also known as “G”).  They’ll be at the flower show on Sunday, Feb. 1, to tell you all about their delicious “Jams of Love” just in time for Valentine’s Day.

They’ll also be sharing recipes for their unique creations.  For example, try this dish, made with their rhubarb marmalade jam.  You can find this recipe and more by visiting their website, Emily G’s.

Sweet and Spicy Noodle Bowl – recipe by Emily G’s
Makes 2 bowls

1 T. butter
1 T extra virgin olive oil
½ onion minced
2 garlic cloves minced
½ c. white wine
1 ½ t. ginger
¾ t. red curry paste
1 ¼ c. reduced fat coconut milk
½ c. chicken stock
½ c. Rhubarb Marmalade Jam
¾lb. pork tenderloin, sliced into thin pieces
¼ c. chopped cilantro
1/3 lb. spaghetti

Heat butter and oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Meanwhile, cook the spaghetti according to directions. Add onion and garlic to the skillet. Cover and simmer for 5 minutes until softened. Add wine, ginger, and curry paste and reduce for 5 minutes. Add coconut milk, stock, and jam. Simmer for 5 minutes whisking to combine. Add pork, cover and simmer for 5 more minutes. Add cilantro, season with salt and pepper.

Using two soup bowls, place ½ the cooked spaghetti on the bottom of each bowl. Fill each bowl with pork and broth. Serve immediately.

Yum!

I’ll see you at the show!

Lynn

your “Master Blogger” for the 2009 Southeastern Flower Show

www.LynnCoulter.com