Northwest Flower and Garden Show - More of Those Great Display Gardens.

Here are some images of gardens that I didn't get images of for my first post and gardens that I wanted to explore further. 

ART-itecture for Urban Wildlife was o.k. from the front but had some interesting touches that couldn't be seen until one walked into the garden to explore.

These steel planter boxes had tall backs and could be used on the ground to create a quick fence.

Delightful tapestry of mostly succulents.

Awakened Inspiration had a lot going on including this fountain surrounded by glass balls floating on the edges that were propelled by swirling water to gently bump into each other adding an interesting element of sound to the garden.

 The elegant travertine patio set in a French pattern is at the top level of this garden which has steps down into a sunken area. The paintings are done on tin and are meant to be used outside.

 

 Lesiurely Morning in Mexico City had some of the only palms in this years show.

Green roofs with cacti on them.

Another bowl of swirling water fulled with glass balls gently clanking against each other.

 I feel warmer just walking through this garden!

 

Here's a wider shot of "MOFA - Museum of foliar Art" created by West Seattle Nursery and Big Trees, Inc.  " Your garden as a museum? 

The concept is boldly executed here, with 'plants as art' - three living walls (each with a different style) presented as 'paintings,' a large topiary as a 'sculpture' and many smaller farmed 'works of art' consisting of plant material."

West Seattle Nursery is carrying the grids that you see partially exposed that allow you to create a green wall by simply buying the size grid you want and plopping in any number of pots to make a wall in minutes.  Interesting.

"The moss mobile owes its inspiration to alexander Calder, originator of this kinetic art form."

Homage to Vincent van Gogh's  "Starry Night"

"No Stress Allowed - A Sanctuary of Tranquility for Everyday Life"

"The Poetree:  Rhythm and Rhyme in the Garden"  

"This small, moonlit garden's centerpiece is a sculptural "poetree" hung with poems.  The poethy is the work of high school students involved in Hands for a Bridge, promoting dialogue and understanding through artistic esxpression.

"Peace in Motion - Sanctuary of Peace"  It's fun to take pictures of this one.

No time for plants?  Grow some blown glass balls.

 

More details from "The Art of Zen - Find Zen in Your Own Backyard." This one was as much fun to walk through as it was to see from a distance.

 

"Nature's Studio: Arouse|Evoke|Create|Grow|Chill"

Hobbitesque cupboard.

 "Monet Dreamed Here"

Clever plant labeling for the theme of the garden and the show.

Alison and I saw some of these cool Allium seed heads in Linda and Tom Reeder's Garden (her blog is here.)  They come from Gardener's Supply Company and can be ordered online.

"Darwin's Muse - Art Imitating Life" more pitcher plants.

"The Art of Retreat - Two Generations Define Their Own Garden Studios"

 "This mother-daughter design team brings their special perspectives to this 'dual generation' garden."

Forgot whose gate this was but isn't it purty?

"A Conduction of Vigorous Immersion: Seattle's Best Artists Enhance Your Flow"  These were the folks with the stairs that became a ramp and the part of the deck that rose up to become a table. Here we see fire and water together in this water feature.  Notice the rock wall behind.  The water flows in columns in front of the rock wall, splashes down creating a little fog that rises out of the slats in the deck under which the water is flowing before it exits from the round pipes.

That's about it from the demonstration gardens for this year.  Stay tuned for the Ikebana show, tons of fabulous vendors and to see what I dragged home from the show!

And whatever you do, make plans to attend the show next year!