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!
They all look fabulous! Can't wait to see them in person tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteI wish they'd ban the sale of migratory butterflies.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing - I didn't (and won't) make it to the garden show as it a little too far away so it is nice to see what's been happening there.
ReplyDeleteI remember how much I enjoyed the kid's gardens last year. It seemed they had similar themes as the big gardens (jungle, meadow, etc) but were more inventive and fun. Can't wait to see them!
ReplyDeleteThe googley eyes rule--can't help being reminded of that Christopher Walken sketch on Saturday Night Live a few years back, where he's a horticulturist who puts googley eyes on his plants to make them less intimidating. He likes to be able to make eye contact with them. That's a cool idea to teach kids more about supporting wildlife with native plants! Appreciation for native plants can't be taught too soon or too often!
ReplyDeleteThe children's area was the best. I would have loved to see the development of these leading up to the event. Matti
ReplyDeleteAhh, good ol' "Blackbird Syndrome." I like the way you are.
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