GardenDesignOnline

2024 Philadelphia Flower Show

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Philadelphia Flower show through March 10

I have to say ... this year's show is one of the most spectacular ever put on by the PHS -- the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.  The entrance garden alone, called "Edges and Reflections," is worth the price of admission.  PHS Vice-President and Creative Director Seth Pearsoll says it features over 14 thousand tulip bulbs, 75 thousand fresh-cut stems, and over 8500 gallons of water.

During installation, he said, that was "really scary."  Pearsoll added that many of the things you see at the Flower Show "make their way as trends in the world ... and the show is "known as trend-setter in the competitive classes," with over five thousand entries in the horticultural category alone. 

Imagine, if you can, this necklace, a first-prize winner, fashioned from eucalyptus pod, mustard seed, green pea, fennel and midollino, and raffia.  It's just one of the spectacular designs you'll see at the show.  As Seth Pearsoll put it, "We're showcasing the artistic flair in the community for floral arrangements, design, photography, breath-taking botanical art pieces, jewelry -- incredible works of art using fresh plants.  

Don't miss this year's show! 

 

 

Black TerraCotta

image: Seibert & Rice - click to enlarge

Hooray.  I love terracotta pots, but I don't always love the reddish color, which certainly does not go with everything.  That's probably why so many gardeners have switched to everything from concrete to plastic, to whatever else is out there.

However, Seibert & Rice  is now importing black terracotta from Impruneta, Italy.  The firm is known as the leading importer of terracotta from Impruneta, and it's valued because it's frost-proof and very durable.  SO -- if you're looking for the real thing, this is where you want to go.

 

Kusama at NY Botanical Garden

Courtesy Ota Fine Arts, Tokyo/Singapore/Shanghai; Victoria Miro, London/Venice; David Zwirner, New York

Works by celebrated Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama go on display at the New York Botanical Garden April 10, at the beginning of a large exhibition that runs through October 31.

KUSAMA: Cosmic Nature marks the first comprehensive exhibition that explores her lifelong fascination with all aspects of nature.

The show includes works that will be placed outside in the garden, including Dancing Pumpkin, a bronze sculpture in yellow and black that soars 16 feet high.

Collection of the artist; Robert Benson Photography

In the Enid Haupt Conservatory, three gallieries will be transformed by a horticultural celebration of Kusama's concepts of flowers and foliage.

And in the Mertz Library, visitors wil be able to examine Kusama's botanical sketches, collages, soft sculptures and paintings.

And do check out the NYBG website for lectures and many more public programs associated with the exhibition. 

Don't Miss It!

 

Books: Flower Power

I've never had a cutting garden -- my flowering shrubs and occasional roses always kept me plenty busy -- but after reading this new book, I might actually change my mind.

In Flower Color Theory (Phaidon, 2021), the noteworthy floral designers Darroch and Michael Putnam, show you the way to design stunning arrangements of singular or different hues.

Even if you're the kind of person who just wants to put blooms in a vase, you'll benefit mightily from studying this book and its 175 arrangements.  At the edge of each page, you'll find blocks of color, making it easy for you to figure out what to do with your larkspurs, marigolds, or pink tulips.

I particularly liked the white and green combo of rose, hellebore, tulip, ranuculus, fern, and Cavolo nero kale (page 130-131). Each arrangement lists the plants used, a brief description, and the type of color combination.  ie, the combo referenced here is an "Accent Color" arrangement (Butter yellow with dark green accent), described this way: "A backdrop of dark foliage contrasts with lighter-hued florals, showcasing the flowers and emphasizing their beauty."

In the back of the book, there are sections on basic color schemes, (analagous, complementary, monochromatic, etc); a glossary of floral terms; tips, essential tools, and recommendations for vessels; suggested color palettes for seasons or special occasions; tablescape approaches, and the type of mood various colors represent.

There's also an index of flowers, an index of colors and color schemes, and perforated pages that show each arrangement, with descriptions and color bars on the back, so you can easily take them apart and to your local florist when you want to recreate the same or create something original using the same hues, blooms, or foliage.

Whatever you grow in your own garden, you will not want to be without this book.

Christmas Gifts II

Blue Agave Garden Torch

From the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix .. galvanized steel, powder coated flowers and realistic patina finish that will not fade.  Comes in large or small sizes.  Beautiful way to illuminate your patio or deck!

Red Poppy Solar Light
Also from the Desert Botanical Garden, all-weather steel construction, powder-coated color, two bright LED solar lights that run on batteries.  Not something you'll see in a local garden store, and a great way to brighten your garden.

 

  Orchid Travel Mug,

24.99 from the shop at Longwood Gardens

And check out the other items in their orchid collection: mugs, tea towels, coasters, prints, and more.

 

 

Paper Salad & Dessert Plates

Hillwood Museum & Gardens shop
High-quality paper board & water-based dyes. 8"diameter, garden-themed.  Napkins & guest towels also available.

Set of 16, $10.

 

Limestone Orchid Coasters

Hillwood Museum & Gardens Shop

Four distinct orchid images ... high-quality limestone with cork backing; hand-washable. $28.

Christmas Gifts I

While you're staying in because of Covid, tired of TV, and looking for something to occupy your time, try these:

A 1000 piece puzzle of arboretum trees. Great present for any gardener.

From the NY Botanical Garden shop, just $19.95, and you can learn the botanical names of all those trees.  Also a herbarium puzzle on offer.

Get it here.

 

For your coffee mug, while you're working at home.

Dendrobium orchid coaster, white limestone marble with cork backing. $8.  NYBG shop.

Get it here. And other orchid images available.

 

And for going out when you can't stand being inside anymore:

Floral Mum mask, NYBG Shop, $9.95

Dual cloth layers, and other designs available.

Get it here.

 

I don't have an image, but check out this mini zen garden for your desktop.  From The Huntington. You could spend hours re-arranging the elements. $15.95

 

 

 

Christmas Gifts II

From the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston:

click on images to enlarge

Weird Cat Mexican Coaster

Coaster features one of the tile designs -- now located in the museum's Spanish Cloister -- from the Church of San Agustin in Mexico.
Italian marble with heat-resistant cork backing, 4 x 4 inches.
Other tile designs available, among them deer, leopard, rabbit and many more.  Each tile is $15.

https://gift.gardnermuseum.org/collections/museum-made/products/weird-cat-mexican-coaster

 

Nasturtium Spoon Rest

Everyone visits the museum in spring to see the spectacular hanging chains of nasturtiums.

Hand-painted spoon rest by Vermont-based artist Beth Mueller, five inches long.  Many other nasturtium items available in the museum shop. $36.

https://gift.gardnermuseum.org/collections/museum-made/products/nasturtium-spoon-rest

 

Canvas Tote with Gardner Quote:

No picture available, but check out the canvas tote at $21.95 decorated with a nasturtium design and the following quote from Mrs. Gardner:  "My garden is riotous, unholy, deliriously glorious! I wish you were here." We all need one of these!  11x18", $21.95

https://gift.gardnermuseum.org/collections/museum-made/products/gardner-quote-canvas-tote

 

From The Huntington shop in San Marino, CA:

Ginkgo Earrings

Gold-plated pewter cast directly from ginkgo trees at The Huntington.

2" long, $35,  Matching necklace also available.

Ginkgo trees are 60 million years old and are considered "living fossils." The trees are native to China.

https://www.thehuntingtonstore.org/collections/signature/products/ginkgo-earrings

 

From the Desert Botanical Garden shop in Phoenix, AZ:

Teal Solar Daisy Light

Powder-coated steel with two super bright LEDs with 20 lumens of light output.  Solar powered, runs for 10 hours.  Replaceable AA battery included. 18"high x 11.5" wide, $99.

https://gardenshop.dbg.org/teal-daisy-solar-light.html

Red Poppy Light also available.

 

Golden Barrel Cactus Garden Torch

All weather galvanized steel construction, hand-crafted in Kansas.  Patina finish, LED light,  tabs for mounting or staking into the ground. No assembly required.  Fillable torch canister that uses standard torch fuel/tiki oil.  Rust resistant and guaranteed not to corrode.  Perfect for garden or patio.

Two sizes, 9.25"high x 13.5" wide, $225.

13.25"high x 19.5" wide, $375.

https://gardenshop.dbg.org/golden-barrel-garden-torch.html

Christmas Gifts 1

From the New York Botanical Garden Gift Shop:

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Chinese Pear Print

A hand-finished lithograph by Asa Strong, reproduced from the original in the garden's library collection.  It's printed on artist-quality matt paper. 

28x20", $135.00 -- and many more botanical prints are available.

 

Herbarium Bougainvillea Print

This specimen is in the William & Lylnda Steere Herbarium, the largest herbarium in the Western Hemisphere.  Bougainvillea was first discovered on a French expedition to South America in the 1700's.  Lovely, decorative print.

13x19", $14.00. -- and other prints available.

 

Small Vector Bud Stand

For the modern home, a modern vase that will hold just a single stem (or maybe a couple) from your garden. Clear tube and gold metal.

6"long, 5"wide, 9.25" high.  Glass tube is 6" tall x .75" opening.

$9.00

Heliconia Stoneware Coaster Set

The design is from L'Illustration horticole, Vol. 9 (1862) by Charles Lemaire, contained in the NYBG Library.  The stoneware absorbs moisture from beverages and may be wiped clean with a damp cloth.  Four coasters packaged in a gift box, 4" square, $18.00.  

 

Many more terrific botanical items available from the shop.

 

A Trellis for Everything

Just the latest from Terra Trellis... a new take on the window box, either indoors or out.
It all started when Jennifer Asher of Terra Trellis met Chantal Aida Gordon and Ryan Benoit of The Horticult, and authors of the book How to Window Box: Small-Space Plants to Grow Indoors or Out (How To Series) (Clarkson Potter, 2018).

The result was a collaboration on window boxes with built-in trellises, in a choice of finishes ... oxidized steel, stainless steel, or powder-coated steel in several different colors.

The planter is 25" wide and 8" high, with a depth of 7.5 inches. Each one has a resin planter inside with a built-in water reservoir. However, you can also use three 6-7" diameter pots inside the window box.  The trellis is 25"x25" and can be used to hang air plants, dry herbs or train vines to climb through it.

What more could you ask for?

And my review last year of the window box book is here

Garden Art in Copper

Wall sculptures for the garden are not exactly easy to find, but this new one called Mudra is from TerraSculpture, designed by designed and fabricated  in copper by Jennifer Gilbert and Mario Lopez.

It's just 22 inches high, 40 wide and 10 inches deep, and to my way of thinking, it would look great in almost any modern garden.

  "Flight" is another new sculpture by the same firm.  It's copper plate with a powder-coated steel base. If you need a focal point in the garden, this just might be the solution.

74 inches high by 26 wide.