Sunday, February 07, 2010

Garden inspiration when I need it most: reflections on the Seattle Flower and Garden Show

The Seattle Flower and Garden Show did not disappoint. Just the opportunity to hover above and among hyacinths in full bloom, and inhale, exhale, deeply inhale? Golden moment. I think that's one of the joys of garden shows during this time of year. We gardeners get our fix and the fire inside of us that's been slumbering for the winter begins to rekindle and light back up.

Going to a big show like this shows us crazy fun gardening that's not really replicable, but bits and pieces of it that we can take home and use for inspiration. I was glad to not see rows of stiff tulips and hot tubs, but instead designed gardens including chickens, edibles, recycled pieces, worm composting, and even goats: I tend to think Portland is ahead of the curve in a lot of these things. It's fun to see our passion and aesthetics reflected back to us though.

I came away with some some things I was really inspired by, or things that made me smile. Those are good signs. Some of them were...

Great contrast in pots using glass...
glass mulch, float and succulent combination

A pick up truck retrofitted as an edible planter, complete with a chicken in the front seat.
pick up truck front

A living rug...
living carpet

A tiny chair on tiny moss on tiny pebbles...
tiny chair on moss

A rain chain made from recycled blue bottles...
rain chain from recycled bottles + goat

Moss covered recliner chair, sedum pillow, and popcorn...
popcorn and recliner

Glass fiddlesticks...
glass fiddlesticks

I could go on and on but there are more photos in my flickr set here if you'd like to peruse.

Inspired!

7 comments:

A Lewis said...

AMAZING! World class. I've always heard nothing but great things about that show.

Wacky Mommy said...

So cool, IT'S AS IF I WERE THERE :)

i'm looking forward to getting started in my new garden... wherever that new garden may be. thanks for the ideas.

Radio Gretchen said...

I can't wait to see where this inspiration shows itself in your garden this summer. For all the times I plan to invite myself over :)

Beth said...

Wow, I am loving all that glass! Especially with the succulents in pots. The colors are beautiful!

Miranda Raven said...

Neato!

Cher said...

Thank you for these! I am so focused on just getting started that I forget there's a whole other level of gardening to aspire to -- right now I'm on the bottom of Maslow's chart, and these folks are clearly way beyond it! Cool.

Anonymous said...

Hi Lelo~~ I'm inspired by your photographs! Yours is the fourth blog I've seen with photos from the show. It's interesting how each blogger has chosen to focus on something different. Me, I want that moss chair and I love the colored glass topdressing on the Yucca/Agave too. Thank you for sharing.