Hi Bob, Hmmm... I don't remember seeing you... but I was pretty busy looking at the orchids! hahaha. I really enjoyed the Fest. I started growing orchids a year and a half ago and have gone this season to all the shows I could find in the area. I think this was my favorite so far simply because it seemed like both Parkside Orchids and the vendors in the tent were selling orchids at much more reasonable prices. My husband and I also enjoyed the Longwood Gardens show earlier this year. I'm sure we'll run into each other at some show in the future! I don't know of any other shows in the NY/NJ/PA area until next year. Do you know of any others? Thanks! Deb

I am into native plants and this set of gardens is very cultivated and stylized. I have heard others comment that the Japanese gardens here are incredible though. That's not to say that there aren't some remaining natural areas (a huge fern glade, for example), just not enough for my taste. I would prefer to spend my time and money in a State Park than in a landscape full of imported plants. Just my thing, that's all.

Juliet, the Huntington has fewer Old Roses than it used to, having now more emphasis on Austin roses. I think even most of the older moderns have gone, now. And you DON'T want to see the Teas. The Cactus garden and the new Conservatory will probably be very nice, and the new Chinese garden is supposed to be spectacular. The Galleries, of course, are wonderful. I practically grew up in them, thanks to my grandmother, and I could still spend a lot of time there. (And they're air-conditioned, too!) For Old Roses in the area, I would suggest instead the Descanso Gardens International Rosarium. It's beautifully laid out and maintained. August is not a great season for Southern California rose gardens, but if anything is in bloom, it will be there. Jeri

Honeymoon Acres is a fun place to visit...a bit different than many garden centers. 1) They do not guarantee their trees/shrubs even for a year. 2) Their annuals/accents/veggies are copious in selection, usually super healthy and full, and very reasonably priced. Some people don't go anywhere else for those items, once they've tried them here. 3) They have a fair amount of hostas at an average price, they usually look pretty nice. However, I would not call it a hosta destination. 4)They start marking their stuff down in late June/early July...they drop more % each week until it's all gone.