We have all heard of the Chicago Flower and Garden Show, but I am sure not too many of you have heard of Wannamakers Flower and Garden Show! I think it began about ten years ago and each year has become better and better. It is not elegant or overplanned but is a composite of what we are all about, small planting areas, barbqueing, seating areas, water features. Best of all, it is free!
Not everyone in suburbia lives on an acre of land. In fact where I live and many of the surrounding areas we have city type lots that will not accomodate a swimming pool or an expansive patio or deck.
I attended yesterday and I looked like a roving reporter with my small digital camera snapping pictures of the displays. I had to make a choice between my big digital camera and the pocket version. I went for the pocket version because I didn't want to make a spectacle of myself. It is a very personal show, speaking to the owners of growing nurseries, people who make food for hydrangeas that give you pink or blue hydrangeas, your choice!
There were flowers for sale, in fact just about everything was for sale at a discount for the show days. I was so busy taking pictures and talking that I really was not a focused shopper. There was this new tomato cage which I bought as an experiment because I have never found a cage that really worked and believe me I have had them all. Right now I am using an expensive one from Gardeners Supply which still doesn't keep the tomatoes within bounds. I purchased just one of these new cages because she said Burpee was their biggest customer. We'll see if it can keep my Beefmaster within bounds!
Maybe these local flower shows are where it's at, servicing and inspiring the locals. I bought the tomato cage as an experiment and six lilies.
16 comments:
Dear Eileen, I think that perhaps we have all grown tired of these rather large, impersonal shows so it is very refreshing to come across one which seems smaller, more intimate and more customer friendly. Much more fun, I am sure.
There are just so many shows in Britain now - very few of them worth attending.
I do have a fun time there every year. I also buy many of my plants there during the season.
Eileen
Hi Eileen. I would have had to found a way to drag one or tow of those blue pots home with me. Looks like it was a great show to pick up some gardening necessaries. I like that.
The pots were in great supply this year. They had lime green pots that were great looking. I ran out of space for pictures. Maybe, I'll put them at the bottom of the blog.
Eileen
Oh my, be still my heart that dreams of spring! Thank you, Eileen.
I wish we had something like this in my city area ... but alas, not to be! I do just love that top photo ... such colour!
Just an aside: I'm still not able to access your blog through Blotanical ... problems with the feed or something ... which is a shame because I would love to 'pick' so many of your posts!
Hi Bernie,
I am not sure what the problem is with Blotanical. I did notify them previously. As a Follower is my blog comeing through to you?
Eileen
Eileen ... yes your posts come through to me as a follower on Googlereader just fine. No problem there at all.
Hi Eileen... I just love the conifer displays at garden shows... this one looks like it was a good time! Larry
I'd never heard of this one before. I'll have to check it out next year. Thanks for the tip. I just posted a bunch of pics of the Chicago one.
I, it is at Wannamakers in Downers Grove. It certainly is not on the scale of the Chicago Show, College of DuPage (Horticulture Group) is there, Uncle Bub's doing barbeque, reps from many nurseries and garden supply companies.
Eileen
I am officially "itching for Spring" to come.
What a great show. I have never personally been to one on this scale but it looks incredible. Where I am located they don't have a ton of "elaborate" events such as this in relation to gardens. Everything usually is pretty small scale and "run of the mill".
I have never been to a garden show...and I wish I could!!! this is awesome!
It would be nice if some of the largger garden centers would do a show each year. They know what their customers want to see. An added advantage is that Wannamakers has a huge inside greenhouse to hold this show in inclement weather.
Eileen
Eileen,
The fact that it is "small" is really right up my alley. There is a similar small gardening fair at the Garfield Park Conservatory in the Spring, and while nothing impressive, one of my favorite local events.
Thanks again for introducing me to the show.
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