More Philly Flower Show Photos

From the tiny scuba tanks to the little hanging baskets, Miniature Setting winner Irene Sobotincic’s “Taking the Plunge” scuba shop captured a still life of homegrown Hawaiian commerce.

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Anthurium and red lights mimicked a lava flow in the popular display “Pele” by Schafer Designs.

A few of the thousands of orchids in the displays.

Temple University Ambler School of Environmental Design is always an environmental treasure trove. This year a rain garden accompanied by a handout with a diagram and plant list was another testament to Temple’s attention to detail.

A model of Philadelphia City Hall and surrounding gardens was presented by Philadelphia Water Department’s “Green City, Clean Water” “Islands of Green in an Urban Sea.”

As always, there was lots to see at this flower show!

Philadelphia International Flower Show

HAWAII, ISLANDS OF ALOHA

If ever my digital camera is going to give me problems, you can bet it will be at the Philly Flower Show. I’ll post a few of the less grainy pictures later.

I must say I was a little disappointed with the show. I couldn’t put my finger on what didn’t quite work. Finally it came to me - Hawaii is bright and colorful - The convention center was dark as usual. I think this is one time overhead lighting would have enhanced the show. Despite thousands of colorful orchids and hundreds of stately palm trees, the displays never seemed to capture the essence of Hawaii.

Of course it may be impossible to capture the magnificence of the real thing.

Perfect Weather for Spring Cleanup

before

after

Thank you Mother Nature.

The beautifully warm days recently have given a jump start to spring garden cleanup. I am feeling very organized this year. Last fall I did a better than average fall garden cleanup so there’s not as much to do this spring. Add a week of heavenly spring weather and I’ll be ready for mulch next week.

Another help to move the cleanup along is the tool I bought at the Philadelphia Flower show. It’s

called a Leaf Lifter from Better Garden Tools.

It's saving my old back.

Crocus

Is it my imagination or are the crocuses prettier than usual this year? They are definitely a couple of weeks earlier. I planted hundreds of crocus between 2003 and 2005.

I remember walking around the garden in spring and sticking tongue depressors in the soil as markers so I would remember where I wanted to plant more bulbs in November. I remember digging all the little holes on chilly November days. I remember watering them in and sprinkling the soil with cayenne pepper to try to fool the squirrels.

It was definitely worth the effort.