AFTER THIS WEEK of snow, more snow, then slush along with more snow, I am sure you are ready for a break.
I have just the perfect remedy.
But before we discuss “Gardens of the World,” lets talk a little bit about your plants and all that snow.
First and foremost, check all your woody ornamentals for damage caused by the crushing weight of the aforementioned ice crystals.
Mother Nature is the worst pruner in the universe, so look for twisted, shredded, torn, ripped and snapped branches and prune them back clean, well below the damaged area.
Clean-up all old, soggy, worn-out plant debris for soon it will rot away and cause a plethora of pestilence problems in your yard.
And definitely look around for drainage issues, clear drains and create channels for water to move along.
A week or two of standing, freezing water could cause some plant issues for sure.
But as we hunkered down this week with cabin fever, why not look around the world for botanical inspiration?
This Wednesday, Feb. 20 – 24, the 24th annual Northwest Flower and Garden Show will be held at the lovely Washington State Convention Center in downtown Seattle at 7th and Pike streets.
This magnificent horticulture extravaganza, the country’s second largest flower show, will be truly an inspiring event. This year the theme is “Gardens of the World.”
Plagiarism is the world’s second oldest profession and here is a huge idea factory waiting for your discovery.
From the cottage gardens to the Chinese gardens; to herb, rose and vegetable gardens; the English gardens along with native, arid and woodland gardens — all these inspire horticulturists around the globe.
For five days the region’s most renowned designers will put their talents on display for your enjoyment and note-taking.
This should truly be one of the best years for the massive display gardens — all 23 of them.
Inspiration abounds at the flower show with the famous “seminar series” featuring over 100 topics.
Taught by acclaimed garden writers and horticulturists, these experts share their knowledge and secrets delivered for both the newbie gardener and the well seasoned veteran.
All these lectures are free with admission.
For me, a real treat is the “Garden Market Place,” which is a bustling array of over 350 vendors offering a cornucopia of quality garden products, services and artwork.
With our lack of gardening products on the Peninsula, going to the largest gardening mall in America is a real plus.
I also enjoy looking at the interesting variety of containers on the amazing “Sky Bridge.”
Surrounded by glass, this vista is a perfect place to get your creative juices flowing and containers are just so easy to plant, maintain and enjoy with little effort.
And if ease of effort is a concern, remember: the flowers show offers two free plant check-in locations so you do not have to schlep your purchases all over the place.
When you enter this garden mecca you first walk through the floral arrangement display and I promise the scent and visual stimulation will be that of spring.
So why not plan a perfect garden party for you, your family and friends and go to the Northwest Flower and Garden Show?
Your yard may be slush and mud now, but in Seattle it is the best of the gardening world.
For detailed information, ticket prices, packages, speakers schedule and vendor information visit www.gardenshow.com.
But please, no matter what, give the snow shovels a break.
Dream of warm sunny days, beautiful flowers, tropical paradise and go to the Northwest Flower and Garden Show Wednesday through Sunday.
You will not regret the choice.
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Andrew May is an ornamental horticulturist who dreams of having Clallam and Jefferson counties nationally recognized as “Flower Peninsula USA.” Send him questions c/o Peninsula Daily News, P.O. Box 1330, Port Angeles, WA 98362, or email news@peninsuladailynews.com (subject line: Andrew May).
