Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Finding Inspiration: The Chicago Flower Show, Part II

 I'm almost afraid to say it--in case I might jinx it--but I do believe that spring is finally arriving here in central Illinois.  The snow from last weekend's winter storm--the first real snowstorm we've had in over two years--has finally melted, and each day I find a few more signs of green growth shooting up in the garden.  Before the daffodils and tulips finally arrive, though, I want to finish up our tour of the Chicago Flower and Garden Show.


I suspect the reason most cities hold a garden show in February or March is because they know winter-weary gardeners like my friend Beckie and myself will gladly make the three-hour trip by train, car, and taxicab just to get a taste of spring, even if it is indoors.  Bloomers like these beautiful irises were a welcome sight and certainly lifted my spirits.  But I suppose the real reason for late-winter garden shows is so that businesses can inspire gardeners and perhaps entice them to buy their products or services before gardening season gets into full swing.  The Chicago show certainly showcased many new ideas for the garden.


Vertical gardening seems to be a popular trend in recent years.  One of the more interesting and practical displays of this type of gardening was in a product called Live Wall.  One side of this structure was decorative, filled with heucheras and trailing plants, but the other side, shown here, was probably the most appealing. Each box was filled with some type of vegetable or herb. The product is rather pricey, but a nearby graphic display illustrated how savings from a vegetable garden would pay for the structure in just a few years.


While saving money is certainly an enticement, I think for most of us the quality and freshness is the biggest reason for growing our own vegetables.  The fresh lettuce growing here definitely looked better than most of what I see in the supermarket these days.  Space is not issue for me, so I won't be growing any of my vegetables vertically, but the display demonstrated that anyone, even with limited space, can grow their own vegetables.


A display of window boxes demonstrated different plant combinations.  Although I don't have any window boxes, I always enjoy this display to get some new ideas for my containers.  I would never have thought of planting lavender in a container, but I like the natural look of the taller lavender in the back of this window box.


I really, really want a raised bed in my vegetable garden, but what caught my eye in this small display of raised beds was this old wooden ladder.  I've seen ladders used for plant displays before, of course, but never with wooden trays across the rungs for added space.  I would think these trays wouldn't be hard to make...hmm, a project to keep my Dad busy this summer, perhaps?


Sometimes it's the little things that inspire.  I know I'm not the only one always looking for a better way to mark plants.  I thought these plant markers were some of the prettiest I've ever seen.  I'm not sure of the materials used here, but I'm sure something suitable could be found at any craft store. These would be a great project for an artistic gardener.


Another idea I liked--old silverware engraved with plant names.


And then, of course, there are the plants that call to me and beg to be added to my plant wish list.  I first saw these purple anemones two years ago at the Chicago show, but then forgot about them when fall bulb ordering rolled around.  This year a note has been made in the garden journal so that they won't be forgotten again.  Don't they look exquisite paired with pale pink azaleas?


Another planting demanded a closer look and a check of the I.D. tag to identify them.


Double Primroses--I've never seen these before!  I'm not sure if these are hardy in my zone 5 garden, but if they are, they will be added to the plant shopping list as well.


One end of the exhibition hall is filled with vendors, and Beckie and I allowed enough time to stroll through this area before we had to leave to catch our train.  Although I vowed I wouldn't spend much money here, unless I found something I really, really wanted, I was excited when Beckie noticed a sign next to the tulip garden that all these bulbs were available for sale by a vendor at the show.  I am a pushover when it comes to double tulips and couldn't resist the huge blooms of these 'Cool Crystal' doubles, which are pink, not the peach of this poor photo.  But what made me really excited was finally finding a source of some tulips I first saw here two years, a bulb that I have been hunting for ever since . . .


These may look like ordinary pink tulips to you, but I think you'll understand that my "namesake" deserves a place in my garden:)  When I mentioned these tulips to my mother two years ago, she told me that she had 'Rosalie' tulips in her garden long ago.  Thinking of her as I filled out the order form, I thought it was only appropriate to honor her, too, so I  purchased some 'Princess Irene' tulips as well. I left the show a very satisfied customer, looking forward to seeing not only this year's spring blooms in my garden, but next year's as well.

The Chicago Flower and Garden Show is held every year at Navy Pier; next year's show runs from March 15-24.  If you're within driving distance of the Windy City, it's definitely worth a visit, especially if you just can't wait for spring to arrive!

24 comments:

  1. Aahhhhh just what I needed to see this morning. Spring/summer flowers. Come on spring... I too like the way this ladder was used. Probably the best use for a ladder I have seen. Surely out in your barn you have a ladder you could use??

    ReplyDelete
  2. Those namesake tulips are the best! I am thinking of starting that in my new garden too. That ladder really caught my eye too!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love a post that starts with a big sugary looking iris and ends with lovely tulips. I like that you got Rosalies and Irenes for you and your Mom. Happy Spring!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hello. I just love going to garden shows. I get so many good ideas like that ladder. I think those Tulips to honor you name and your mom's name will be so special in your garden. Thanks for "taking me" along with you to this show!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I can just imagine how much you were inspired at this flower show. It all looks like so much fun! I love the ladder idea. I may have to steal that.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I have been looking forward to part 2 of the Chicago Garden Show and this post did not disappoint. Soon we will have blooms but for now these gorgeous photos help tide me over.

    ReplyDelete
  7. That window box is pretty and the anemones and the double primroses. All your photos are brilliant though.
    I agree its the little things that inspire. The personal touch!
    Maggie x

    Nuts in May

    ReplyDelete
  8. I wish we had that kind over show's overhere. But there were non this year. Overhere it is still cold I live near bulbfields and the tulips are only 1 cm green above the soil. The festival will start within 13 days. But this week higher temperatures are forecasted so I am curious to see what will happen with the tulipfields.
    Have a wonderful day Rose.

    ReplyDelete
  9. OK, I'm putting it in the calendar right now! I should have gone this year, but I made my excuses. I absolutely love the idea of using any old ladder as a planter--so creative!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thanks for taking us along on the tour. I love love love the old ladder. We actually bought one at auction last year which I thought eventually might get put to use in the garden but those trays are fantastic! they really allow some substantial room for growing. and the engraved silverware caught my eye too. i'm always finding old cutlery in the garden, would love to find someone to engrave them like this.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Rose, life wall - is an interesting idea! I love anemones too and have some my own roots and I bought some more. When do you water them before planting? Or do you plant dry anemones?

    ReplyDelete
  12. The iris in the first picture is so beautiful. Congrats on your tulip finds!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Such a sweet connection you and your mother share with the 'Rosalie' tulip. My grandmother's name was Ruby and I always had 'Tiny Rubies' dianthus when I had a sunny space. Not identical names, but close enough. Hope the Rosalies and Irenes thrive (side by side?) in your garden.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I love flowers with names that give special memories. It makes your home and garden very personal!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hi Rose, I'm not sure about the live wall although I can see the point for people with limited space. However, I loved the step ladder idea and also the idea of growing lavender in a window box, that would smell wonderful when its scent wafts through the window on a warm day! I also loved the first plant marker which reminded me of a lollipop...I hope you weren't tempted to take a lick ;-) How lovely too to have your 'namesake' in the garden!

    Your lovely, colourful photos are a joy to see Rose. Spring is very reluctant to arrive here this year. The last two days have been sunny but I went less than five miles up the road yesterday and was amazed to find steep snowdrifts still lining the road and in the wood where I hoped to find the first wild violets of the year the snow was getting on for twelve inches deep!! In my immediate area it has all gone though.

    ReplyDelete
  16. What a wonderful show you have up there! The shows here are a bust for me. They are Home & Garden shows with more home improvements then garden ideas or pretties. After I am finished, I feel like I have walked through a big commercial live rather then watching it on TV. Locals basically advertising their wares then anything else. Sigh, so depressing as I desire the large showcase displays as you share today! I skipped the shows this year as I knew they would be a disappointment. My yard is starting to look like a showcase now though as things are really bursting open in our warm climate. What beautiful tulips and yes, one must grab a namesake. Let me know if you spot any Skeeter plants. LOL.... Happy Spring!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Fantastic flowers, miraculous spring colours. I am greeting

    ReplyDelete
  18. Those cool crystals are beautiful! And the ladder. And the engraved silverware.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Sounds as if you had a lot of fun - hope your Dad enjoys his new ladder project ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  20. Great use of an old ladder - too bad I gave mine away! Love, love, love all those flowers and you must have been very happy to leave with your purchases. It must have been hard to choose - I know I'd have had an awful time trying to keep within an budget. LOL!

    Lovely photos - I too like those purple anemones. Never seen double primroses - they are gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  21. The ladder idea is pretty cool. Now who could I get to make the boxes for me?

    ReplyDelete
  22. Lisa, I think it's time I finally do a scavenger hunt in the barn and sheds--who knows what I might find to use in the garden!

    Thanks all for stopping by and leaving a comment; I was out of town last week visiting my daughter and am still playing catch-up with blog reading.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Hi Rose, I am glad to hear that spring has arrived. Hopefully its heading in a northernly direction. We could sure use some finer weather.
    I have to say that the vertical garden at the Chicago show is one of the nicest I have ever seen. I love the pink tulips and the double primrose as well.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Rose, knowing how the weather has turned again to winter, I think you might have jinxed it. I think it is nice that you and Beckie got to go to the Chicago Flower Show. Lots of pretty plants to see and plenty of ideas to incorporate into your garden makes the trip well worth it.
    I love that double primrose, double and a great color...wow!
    Wonderful find with your namesake tulip!! The fact that your mother had it makes it even more special.

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for stopping by. I love to hear from you, so please leave a comment. I'll try to reply here, but I'll definitely return the visit.