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

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

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

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

Amsonia 'Arkansas Bluestar'

This is Amsonia hubrichtti, ‘Arkansas Bluestar,’ and it’s a terrific perennial for Southern gardens.  In the spring, it produces mounds of billowy, willow-like foliage topped by star-shaped blue blossoms.  In summer, the foliage is light green.  What you’re seeing here is the golden-yellow color that you’ll get in fall.   Even in the winter, the plants are long-lasting and attractive.  Don’t worry if you plant this one and it looks a bit scraggly at first.  It grows fuller and more beautiful after the first year or so.

Give this bluestar full sun to partial shade and average, well-drained soil.  You won’t have to give it much care, and the deer won’t eat it up!
For more about Georgia Gold Medal winning plants, please visit Georgia Gold Medal Plants

cheers,

Lynn

blue Summer Snapdragon angelonia brightens any garden spot

Did you know that North Georgia was once the site of a gold rush?  You can’t make a fortune in the mines there anymore, but you can strike gold in your own backyard when you use the 2009 Georgia Gold Medal winners in your garden.

Gold Medal winners are plants that have won the approval of the State Botanical Garden (SBG) in Athens, GA.  They’re recommended for Southern landscapoes because they’re easy to grow and attractive in more than one season.  Here’s what Connie Cottingham, of the SBG,  told me about them:

“Recent rains have given gardeners new hope – is this the year we’ve been waiting for, the year we can celebrate and plant instead of doing our best to just keep our plants alive?  We’ve matured lately, realizing we cannot waste water. However, using common sense with water doesn’t mean we cannot have beautiful gardens. I like the concept of creating most of the garden so that it needs very little supplemental water once established, yet allowing ourselves a few indulgences that take more water and attention. Proper plant location, planting, and mulching conserve resources in the garden, reducing the need of water, chemicals, and maintenance time.

Plant choices are also key in conserving resources in the garden. The Georgia Gold Medal program can help homeowners in these plant choices. Every year for sixteen years, a committee comprised of horticulture professionals, county Extension agents and UGA faculty has chosen the annual Georgia Gold Medal winners:  easy to find, easy-care plants, many with multi-seasonal interest that are proven performers in our state. The State Botanical Garden of Georgia in Athens is headquarters for the Georgia Gold Medal Program, coordinating plant nominations and publicity.

With sixteen years of named winners and several categories of plants named each year, homeowners can find a large selection of beautiful plants to use when designing their landscapes.”

The 2009 Georgia Gold Medal winners are:

• Angelonia angustifolia – Summer Snapdragon, Angelonia
• Perennial: Amsonia hubrichtii – Arkansas Bluestar, Arkansas Amsonia
• Vine: Clematis armandii – Armand Clematis
• Shrub: Osmanthus fragrans – Fragrant Tea Olive
• Tree: Cercis canadensis ‘Covey’ PP #10328 – Lavender Twist Redbud

These plants are real beauties—take a look at this Angelonia.  Then check my blog again later today.  I’ll have more Gold Medal winner photos to share with you!

cheers,

Lynn

Mike McGrath, passionate organic gardener

Flower show fans, want to know more about Mike? Mike McGrath, that is, who’ll be speaking from the Home Depot stage on the opening day of the show. At 11 A.M. on Wed., Jan. 28, Mike will tell us all about his passion for organic gardening, and share “Seven Secrets of Successful Organic Gardeners.”  Here’s a quick preview:

“Want to grow twice as much in half the space, and half the time? Utilize these secrets that every good organic gardener knows to greatly increase your chance of success while dramatically decreasing the amount of work you have to do. Workshop leader Mike McGrath will walk you through those easy-to-learn tips, including:

• feeding the soil instead of your plants
• inviting beneficial life into your garden to devour insect pests before they can devour your precious plants
• preventing weeds by using a rich organic mulch rather than fighting them toe-to-toe all summer
• the overwhelming importance of utilizing water as a weapon
• and much more.”

Later that day, at 2 P.M., Mike will discuss “Ornamental AND Edible:   Kitchen Gardening A to Z.”   Here’s a “taste,” if you’ll excuse the pun, of what you’ll learn:

“The best ‘kitchen gardens’ really are located right outside everyone’s favorite room in the house.  Join Mike McGrath for a lively discussion on how to grow great tasting edibles right close to where you’ll enjoy them, including varieties so ornamental, you’ll be tempted to put them front and center in the flower garden!  We’ll delve into the secrets of successfully growing:

• true ‘vegetables’ like broccoli
• fruits we use as vegetables, like tomatoes,the single vegetable we use like a fruit
• fruits we use like…well, like fruits!
• AND the edible flowers of vegetables, like squash
• the edible flowers of FLOWERS—like pansies and nasturtiums
• the giant grass we enjoy with salt and butter every summer   (Lynn’s note: guess what this grass is??)
• and, of course, those absolutely essential herbs.

Mike grows to cook and cooks to grow.   So join us as we kick off a season of great eating with tips on how to enjoy your tastiest garden ever.  Oh, and start saving your eggshells now—you’ll never grow tomatoes without them after Mike reveals how they’re the secret to both great taste and defeat of the dreaded blossom end rot!”

Starting today, I’m saving those eggshells.  (I also save banana peels.  Has anyone else heard that they’re beneficial when planted around your roses?  Gotta ask Mike about that.)

Remember, I’ll be blogging LIVE from the show, so look for me when you visit.  I’ll post the times that I’ll be there as the opening day gets closer.  Also, I’ll have free bookmarkers to give out, along with small packets of mustard seeds for your kitchen garden.  They’re give-aways for my new book, Mustard Seeds: Thoughts on the Nature of God and Faith.

Mustard Seeds, by Lynn Coulter

See you at the show!

Lynn

Just Say "No" to Garden Gnomes

Take a look at this picture.

Don’t do this in your garden.

Now, it’s not that I have anything against gnomes.  They can be cute in their own stumpy, strange way.  But why burden your beds and borders with–dare I say it? ugly statuary—when you can have a beautiful garden instead?

Say you need some help? Never fear; you’re not alone. Few of us are born with naturally-green thumbs.  That’s what garden clubs are for:  sharing ideas and information.  Garden clubs also do many wonderful public service projects, such as:

• donating funds to buy wildflowers for the DOT’s Roadside Beautification Project
• beautifying public places (like the Laurel District of the Gainesville Gateway Garden Club, by planting camellias around the Quinlan Visual Arts Center in Gainesville)
• picking up litter from our streets through the “Pick Up for Georgia” project
• helping establish school gardens and teaching kids about stewardship, and much, much more.

If you’re a garden club member, we want to salute you with a special invitation to the opening day of the 22nd Southeastern Flower Show!  Visit the show on Wed., Jan. 28, and the first 500 pre-registered Garden Club members will receive a gift bag packed with assorted gardening favors.  You must register in advance, so visit the show’s home page and enter your information soon.

If you’re not a club member, why not ask around in your area to find a group that’s open to new members?  You might consider launching a club yourself.

But no matter whether you join a group or garden solo, remember:  you don’t have to settle for sticking a gnome in the greenery. Just say “no” to gnomes.

cheers,

Lynn
www.LynnCoulter.com
or Seedlings

If you want to make a splash, be sure to visit the”Woodland Passion” landscape garden at the upcoming flower show.  Displayed by Allin Landscaping of McDonough, GA, it’s scheduled to include “lush mountain plants and the deep stillness of the life of a hidden pond….Cross the bubbling stream to another patio with a stone fire place and the protection of a wood arbor.”

You’ll also find a variety of vendors at the show offering everything from garden hoses to hand-crafted fountains.  If you want to get your feet wet in gardening—so to speak—you know where to go!

cheers,

Lynn

clematis in the rain

Maybe you’ve never heard of NOAA, so let me introduce you.  NOAA is the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, pronounced like No-ah, or Noah, the guy who built that big ark when it rained.

NOAA is part of the U.S. government’s department of commerce (commerce? Yep.  Apparently its mission to protect lives and property and to help support our nation’s economy).  Because it’s packed with all kinds of weather information, including forecasts, NOAA is a great resource for gardeners.   Wondering what kind of weather we’ll have this spring?  Click NOAA’s link to the National Weather Service and you’ll find forecasts listed by state (or territory, if you happen to live in Puerto Rico). NOAA also lets you access detailed records about major climate changes and events like hurricanes, tornadoes, droughts, and so on.

NOAA came to mind today because it’s raining here in Atlanta.  The drought we’ve suffered over the past two years has really hurt our yards and gardens, so rain is very welcome, and to celebrate, I’m posting a picture of a clematis covered in raindrops.

Don’t forget to visit the flower show when it opens on Jan. 28.   There will be plenty to see and do, come rain or shine!

cheers,

Lynn
www.LynnCoulter.com