Flower Show

 Hello! Let's welcome April. March just flew by, didn't it.

 Last week we went to the big flower show that I look forward to every year. Such bright happiness on a cold March day of pouring rain. We caught the final day! I was so pleased and impressed to see how beautiful all the displays still looked. Some years as the show goes on all month the final days are all droopy hydrangeas and shriveled  daffs. 

                                         

Of course they have us walk through the selling floor. It was very crowded.

Then we walked through the fabulous wisteria arch into the greenhouses where the show is located.

Note to the left that this is a real ancient wisteria tree, somehow relocated for this event. Stunning gardening ability here.

I loved wandering through despite the crowds all armed with big green shopping carts!

Some close ups:

The show's theme somewhat escaped me--literary genres? Let's have a look! 

This was Children's books, a mix of Alice in Wonderland---

and Snow White?

                                            

A lavish tropical marsh and waterfall, Jules Verne featured, maybe fantasy or sci-fi.

Western?

And this hilarious vomit of a turbulent red waterfall. I think someone's imagination ran wild. Next year let's hope the water runs clear again. I have no idea what genre this was though I recently read a novel where the ancient Pagan well ran red, foretelling the murders in the village---or was it a crazed environmentalist's doing? LOL.

In another greenhouse was my favorite display of Easter baskets. So sweet. I always plan to buy one and then get all frugal and do not bring one home.

Because... here are all the spring bulbs and pansies to buy. So enticing.

The tete a tete daffs in pots were too far gone to buy, 

so I chose some seed packs.

And a big pot of mixed violas/ pansies for me and Mo on our deck.

I particularly loved these miniature 18" sunflowers, wish I had asked what they are for next summer.

Also note the live, handmade forsythia wreaths, such a joy to see instead of the commonly used faux.

Outside in the rain the extravagant pink andromeda bravely greeted us as we headed to our car, my friends happily pushing their new palm trees---

and myself, clutching my too early but so pretty pot of pansies.

 This show is quite fabulous, entirely free to visit [though shopping is encouraged] and has been the family-owned business's Spring celebration for more than 30 years. There is not a hint of commercialism, no sponsor signs, no  underwritten by whatever notices, the kind of thing that clogs up many shows these days. I feel so fortunate that it is fairly close to my home and I get to visit every year, then share with you. Lots of pics, hope you enjoyed the tour.

Click on any image to enjoy an enlarged slide show of m y photos

*******.

show website, includes a lovely brief youtube slide show and explanation of the theme of this year's show: HERE

love

lizzy 

gone to the beach...

Gale warnings now--again! And huge waves. But the sun is shining, to welcome April.