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