Thanks...

The show looks of interest -- designers have created 12 or so gardens from around the world. Has anyone checked out the gardens at Duke Garden in Somerville/Hillsborough? They make for a lovely day.

I went to the show yesterday and enjoyed it very much. I would say that if you live within an easy drive, you might like to check it out. It has come a very long way from the last time I saw it--maybe 10 years ago? They have a nice number and quality of exhibitors. And especially if you live within an hour or so, it's a great chance to find designers and contractors. A good number of gorgeous forced specimens, tho I wish the labeling was better. It's no competition for Boston or Philly, but definitely a useful and fun show to visit for local folks.

I'm heading to the Philly show and wrapping a visit to my little brother's family into one visit. I was the designer for the Rhode Island Nursery and Landscape Association's (RINLA) RI Flower Show exhibit both this year and last year. I find this chatter about the flower shows insightful and educational. I had taken the feedback I had read on here last year to heart for the design of this year's plan. I made sure that this year's design was something that the flower show visitors could feasibly do in their yard. My design was the little old garden shed with the artwork, pond with walk through bridge, and spring time theme. I knew there was some frustration that the previous year's exhibits were overblown and way beyond the reality of most of the visitors there. I almost would like to ask all of you visitors what would you like to see at the flower shows. I will pose the answers to the RINLA Flower Show exhibit committee when we meet next for next year's show (which is coming up soon.) Terry, you had commented on how the plant material was ordinary and run of the mill. Sue is completely right that we are limited by what is available in February. We get a lot of our flower material from Bay State and Lake Street Garden Center in NH. The woody plant material is donated to us by RINLA members and what can be forced to bloom and/or look decent for the show. Roses, hydrangeas, other summer material, and tropicals would be so cost prohibitive it wouldn't be worth it to bring them in. I had recommended some material my first year that wasn't run of the mill and was shot down by the committee because it would have cost a king's ransom to get it there. Oh well, live and learn.