What better way to get ready for the real Spring that is coming than to go to the Philadelphia Flower Show – a place where you can pretend that it is Spring already. I’m definitely ready for some extreme visual inspiration since, when I walked out my door this morning, the real world was still secure in its dormant stage. I can feel little stirrings of difference, though, and am cautiously optimistic about things.
Living a life of flowers and food – I guess that about sums me up in two simpleton concepts – I am not too complicated a person. The past few days I have been back to “oogling” – many pictures of the gardens laden with Agapanthus in California, reviewing my photos from last year and reading the newest issues of Gardens Illustrated and The English Home. You already know how I feel about British magazines and publishing in general – since you’ve seen my ramblings about Waitrose Food Illustrated. I am now soliciting Ryan to run around London and pick up magazines for me – ones I can’t get here. Oh well, it’s the least he can do for me since he is living the life of Riley over there. Truth is, I am totally jealous – Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Paris, Barcelona, check, check, check, check…… not so bad so far, would you say?
Well, we enjoyed going to the show, and I especially, taking photographs of the most beautiful of plants there. This was in spite of a few major flaws in the venue and design of the show. Most definitely, the lighting inside the event space was, well, less than optimum and some of the specimens were already drooping – not a good harbinger of the days of the show to come. Thank goodness for the British contributors – most definitely the Clematis exhibit, which was more than outstanding. The exhibit dominated by Lupine, Delphinium and Foxglove was wonderful as well. I am not a great fan of indoor flower shows as they always carry with them a contrived feel – I’d rather see everything in its natural habitat. But, well, beggars can’t be choosers at this time of year!
I thought two distinct offerings were missing in the marketing department – decent food and specialty garden implements – both antique and new. I also have to say that I don’t think I saw one pansy or ranunculus plant for sale – what do people want to do more than anything right now? Buy gorgeously alluring and intoxicating Spring plants! For instance, where were the Guy Wolffs and Bunny Williamses of the world? Where was even a Smith and Hawken or similar vendor? Especially with the British theme of the show, I think they could do with at least a few more upscale vendors – even a Barbour boutique. For me, big opportunity lost! I can always be counted on to indulge in one beautiful pot or a new trowel or something. I’m a sucker for antique watering cans – not-a-one in sight! I did see one very nice vendor with a tiny collection of bespoke garden implements, some newly imported hand-thrown pots from England and a gorgeous painting of an orchid that I would have bought, but it belonged to someone else.
And, I think flower-motif cookies and cupcakes would have done well. Well, I guess I’ll just write them a letter. At least there was a garden book vendor in the outside hall, albeit in an Architectural firm’s booth. Funny, I think of real gardening enthusiasts, who will pay $32 to get into a show, pay near NYC rates to park and drive a ways to get there, as a certain breed, but this was more of a general-purpose exposition audience. Well, I am hoping that the 100th Anniversary of the Chelsea Flower Show, which I am now scheming to go to, will be a little more in line with my expectations (old crusty looking ladies and gents with dirt under their fingernails, some with funny hats, and a slightly kooky grin on their faces when they see something amazing) Good thing I saw some to-die-for specimen flowers. I did not buy one plant or souvenir – that says a lot!
Well, we definitely made the best of the day, feasting our eyes on the very best of the specimens. Take a look and get ready for the beauty of nature that is to come outside our windows. While I’m still basically hibernating inside till it gets at least a little warmer, I’m excited to see what is to come. I am waiting for my first gathering of snowdrops. It won’t be long now – famous last words of my husband as he tries to keep me from doing something drastic. I think I’ll make it now! Enjoy this little photo essay:
I tried to bring this gorgeous double hollyhock home – don’t know how I would keep it alive till May – but alas, it wasn’t for sale!
Was this enough to bring the bees out of hibernation? It was for me! Will see the bees soon!