We don’t get out on dates often, let alone for a whole day, so our day at the flower show was as romantic, relaxing and enjoyable as going to a spa.
It was all about spring. After our long, cold, difficult winter this little bit of spring felt absolutely decadent!
As we walked in to the Seaport World Trade Center the first thing we saw was this beautiful pop of spring color.
The primroses were circling this fire pit that we will be installing this summer…or not, but I think it’s a good idea :).
I love this settee! Who wouldn’t want to sit upon a bed of moss?
This light fixture was hung just above the moss settee.. perfect!
Bonsai
Another beautiful seating area…
A whimsical birdhouse
and a less whimsical but very interesting birdhouse…
and straight back to whimsey!
I tend to like the whimsey…
Spring was everywhere!
The Newport Flower Show created a paper bride to publicize their upcoming show in June.
She was dressed with coffee filters, tissue paper, aisle runner and raffia.
Hello again spring!
This fountain was lovely. The photo doesn’t really show it, but it’s about five feet across, so it resembles a small pond.
What’s a garden show without a classic O’Keeffe peeking out?
I must have a bug hotel this year!
And a beautiful fairy garden…
with felt birds,
a gated walkway.
and a frog pond.
I loved these mushrooms. We saw them in the Marketplace at the show but Michael reminded that we have many children, many soccer balls and many pets in our garden so they would last for fifteen minutes, tops.
On to bigger things… a sand sculpture..
…was being created. Love the head of broccoli!
This was the first time I’ve seen helleborus in person.
Heres one of the first exhibits that we saw. Horticultural therapy is front and center! I love it!!
The Department of Corrections fast forwarded to the end of May. Thank you DOC! We needed that!
yes, and out of air too.
There was a cranberry bog and farmer who explained the process of growing and harvesting cranberries, an interesting exhibit for all ages!
A lovely bouquet of roses..
Just behind the lovely bouquet was a hands on demonstration about arranging roses.
I was very impressed with the hands on opportunities available at the show. It was much more interactive than I expected.
I just had to take a photo of this pretty flower cake for my oldest daughter, the baker.
As the keeper of goldfish in two tanks in two locations I could only think that this interesting tank looked like a huge maintenance challenge. Really huge.
Here’s another interactive exhibit that was created by a group called PlantSomethingma.org. Plant Something’s goal is to encourage people to enjoy the benefits of growing things. Everyone who passed through their custom built greenhouse had the chance to plant a mystery seed to take home. The type of seed is revealed by color after visiting their web site. It’s a pretty creative way to draw people in.
The PlantSomethingMA.com greenhouse was decorated with cool features like this rain barrel…
and this guy.
I love this use of succulents and ferns, an uncommon combination. This arrangement was in the competition area which was full of beautiful arrangements.
Be sure to stop and see the witch hat that was decorated by our friend Dave Eng of Dave Eng’s Flowers.
It was a great way to spend the day. I agreed with Michael that we would have enjoyed seeing more garden vendors in the Market area, but those that were there had a nice selection of plants, tools and accessories. The quality of the lectures and exhibits was outstanding. I enjoyed talks by authors Neal Sanders, who blogs at The Principal Undergardener and Betsy-Ann Golon who spoke about herb garden design. They were both engaging and full of ideas and information. While the food selection was a little bit limited, the huge turkey sandwich that we shared for lunch was delicious.
All in all, it was a wonderful, inspiring, colorful spring-like day.
We couldn’t have asked for a better date than that!
Get to the flower show! It’s there through Sunday!
Take the kids, take your mom or your sweetie… there’s really something for everyone.
Happy almost spring!
Michele
The Salem Garden 
