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

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