I've got a head-ful of thoughts and impressions of the San Francisco Flower and Garden Show, but let's be honest: the children's miniature gardens were probably my favorite. That's not to say the professional gardens weren't spectacular, but how can anyone compete with the power of the googley eye?! Leave it to a bunch of third graders, I guess.
The eyebrows are a particularly nice touch. I think a few of my clients will soon realize that their plants are watching them in the very near future...
Here's a Frida Kahlo inspired garden. I love the colors and the inclusion of the shiny little objects to arouse that blackbird syndrome side of me. The composition is lovely, too; how the layout leaves mystery and invites exploration. And is that a flowery ball pit?! How fun that would be to jump in!
An Alice and Wonderland garden- what an interesting garden idea with a series of large yet narrow panels to navigate through. Sort of like a maze without an end goal. It would create a space for contemplation and moments of special little discoveries.
I loved this portion of the children's area, but I must say that right across from these sat the most depressing part of the whole show: Handfuls of Monarch butterflies fluttering helplessly in enclosures with nothing but hybridized pansies and petunias (which aren't native food sources for this type of butterfly). I realize that there's only so much we can expect children to learn and absorb, but I'd love to see educational exhibits push past the typical caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly stories. Hmm, sounds like I'm volunteering myself for something.
I was so delighted to stumble upon the miniature gardens, but many more garden show photos and thoughts await you, dear reader! Stay tuned!
