BLOOMTOWN

I Spy Spring

The first crocus are starting to peek out here and there; encouraged by warmer days and spots of sun. Delish.

 

 

 

It's show time!

Mark your calenders and make your plans! While there are a number of shows and events that will be happening in the upcoming weeks, my time is limited so I tend to hone in on the Yard, Garden and Patio Show in Portland and the Northwest Flower and Garden Show in Seattle.

The Northwest Flower and Garden Show takes place February 8th through the 12th at the Seattle Convention Center. All the info you'll need can be found on their website.

Next up on my roster will be Portland Yard, Garden and Patio Show. It takes place February 17 through the 19th at the Convention Center in Portland. All you need to know can be found here.

If I happen to have any show stamina left I'll consider going to the Portland Home and Garden Show the following weekend at the Expo Center. After two shows in quick succession, I usually have plenty of new ideas and inspirations to process so most years I tend to peter out and not make it to this one.

To whet your appetite, here's some photos of last year's shows:

2011 Northwest Flower and Garden Show in Seattle

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2011 Yard, Garden and Patio Show

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Dicentra spectabilis 'Goldheart'

 

In honor of Valentine's day I offer up this lovely combo of heart and stars -- a golden bleeding heart (Dicentra spectabilis 'Goldheart')  with Omphalodes cappadocica 'Starry Eyes' at its feet.

Cherry Tree Silhouette on Misty Morning at Elk Rock Garden

And because it was hard to choose which image to post ... here's another. This cherry tree silhouette in the morning mist was taken on that same morning at the Elk Rock Garden at the Bishop's Close in Portland, Oregon. 

Misty Morning at Elk Rock Garden at Bishop's Close

This photo was taken several years ago on a misty morning, not unlike the morning we're having today, at the Elk Rock Garden at the Bishop's Close in Portland, Oregon.  If you live in, or are planning a visit to the Portland area this private garden is open to the public daily year-round and is a delight to visit any time of the year though I especially enjoy the garden in winter. 

Photos from Bloomtown

OK, so I've been busy and haven't been able to post in awhile. It is spring fer chrissakes! But I know what you're thinking ... the least I could do is post a few photos, right?

Along the path in the back garden. That's Heuchera 'Georgia Peach' in the mid-ground.

A tapestry of foliage and flowers; figuring prominently here is: Saxifraga x geum 'Dentata', Heuchera 'Plum Pudding' and Geranium c. 'Lawrence Flatman'.

That's Clematis 'John Warren' traipsing through a red, cut-leaf maple with Rhododendron 'Anah Kruschke' in the background.

 

This is taken in the front, parking strip garden. Cordyline australis 'Paradise', Sambucus 'Sutherland's Gold', Allium 'Globemaster' and Allium 'Mt Everest' are key players.

Photo album of Portland Classical Chinese Garden

I attended an absolutely fantastic photography workshop yesterday that was facilitated by Ian Adams and Alan Detrick, both top-notch photographers. The workshop was offered in conjunction with the national garden writers (GWA) convention held in Portland over the weekend. 

I've posted a new photo album showcasing my results from the field trip to the Portland Classical Chinese Garden. I've included one photo below, but feel free to check out the full album here.

Photo tour of Bloomtown's garden today

I thought I would share some shots taken today in the garden. Sorry, but I don't have a lot of time to say more; the photos will have to stand on their own.

Enjoy ...

Anemone nemorosa - how blue can you get?

Narcissus 'Rip Van Winkel'

Euphorbia 'Tasmanian Tiger'

Magnolia stellata emerging flower

Crocus bloom in the recline of decline

Phlomis seed head -- a hanger-on from last fall.

Sleeping beauty awakes

All's right with the world. After a slow start, we seem to be back on track.

It's amazing what a few warm-ish, semi-sunny days will do in terms of waking the garden, this time of year especially.

Morning moon over the ocean

We've had a chance to spend a couple of days at Rockaway Beach, Oregon. The weather has been sunny & clear, but cold.