Romance Blossoms….. at the Northwest Flower & Garden Show

#2 Theme Garden
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

Northwest Flower and Garden Show

February 11 – 15, 2015

Washington State Convention Center

By Victoria Gilleland

Since Valentine‘s Day is just around the corner “Romance Blossoms” seems the perfect theme for this year’s Northwest Flower and Garden Show. It’s fascinating to see how creativity blossoms in the shows spectacular display gardens at the Washington State Convention Center in downtown Seattle. 

The sheer magnitude of transporting tons of stone including large boulders, mulch, building materials, prebuilt structures, a myriad of plants, and decorative items to the site on an upper floor of the Convention Center is mind boggling. My hat is off to the skilled and dedicated experts who through thoughtful creative planning and hard work make it all happen!

The “Romance Blossoms” theme has been developed in amazingly unique ways in each of the display gardens. Gardening ideas and concepts abound in these wonderfully designed and executed gardens. If you’re in the market you can find lots of ideas to incorporate in your home garden. Look for something simple that you can try. Maybe a color combination you hadn’t thought of before or adding a plant you hadn’t known or considered before to a container garden. Be open to these gifts from the gardening universe!

Here are comments on some of my favorites among the truly outstanding gardens at this year’s Northwest Flower and Garden Show.

#12 Love the Space You're In
Photo by Victoria Gilleland

In Susan Browne’s “Love the Space You’re In (#12)” garden she uses rich color for dramatic contrast in the garden. Lime green, blue, white and orange are used in combination to create a striking display. A simple potter’s cottage with royal blue door, colorful glass art, rusted metal pieces, and orange and lime green containers planted with high contrast plant material make a stunning display most home gardeners would welcome!

#14 Birds and Bees
Photo by Victoria Gilleland

The birds and the bees are center stage in the West Seattle Nursery “Birds Do It… Bees Do it…(#14)” display garden. A bee house is the focal point of the garden along with an assortment of insect hotels meant to house beneficial insects of all types. Texture and color is skillfully incorporated with the careful selection of natural and recycled manmade materials and flowering plants. Subtle paint colors used on structures keeps the scene calm. A patch of rich green lawn, blooming spring plants, a variety of bird houses, and a small pond complete the bucolic scene. This is an appealing earthy garden that reminds us of an earlier simpler time.

#15 The Romance of Steampunk
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

“The Romance of Steampunk(#15)” designed by Tehia Whitby boldly illustrates ‘Steampunk’ as a sort of Victorian science fiction and elegance combined with more modern technology. The garden includes a “Victorian Folly” with domed roof and leaded glass windows made from salvaged materials. A kinetic water feature made up of musical instruments, gears and chains is included along with a very oversized clock. The creator has used color, texture and line in materials and plants to great effect. Recycled materials are used in unexpected ways. This garden is by far the most whimsical garden in the group. You won’t want to miss this one!  

#19 Beautiful Chaos
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

“The Root of True Romance: Beautiful Chaos…Love, Art, Nature (#19)” by Elandan Gardens Ltd. celebrates nature in the Pacific Northwest. A large snag acts as cover for garden visitors while boulders become sitting rocks. The weathered roots of another fallen tree add texture and light to the garden. A waterfall and pond offer quiet respite while a prominent stone sculpture is counterpoint to the natural setting of the garden. The green lawn and scarlet tulips contrast with native plant material bringing just the right urban touch to the scene. What a treat to get a glimpse of our northwest forest at our Flower and Garden Show!

Don’t miss this wonderful prelude to spring. Its rejuvenating, inspiring, educational and a whole lot of fun!

Victoria Gilleland is the owner of Cottage Garden Designs, a Garden Design company specializing in Redesign of Residential Gardens, Garden Consultation and Coaching. She has been designing gardens in the northwest for over 20 years.  (vjgilleland@yahoo.com