This mosaic is compiled of some of the best of this year's Edmonton Home and Garden Show which I attended March 25, 2011.
Things to note:
The center photo represents one of the newest trends in gardens - a vertical garden. This one was made with faux plants but imagine it as a privacy barrier complete with rock garden plants, for example. Out of necessity, it would be best suited to plants with a shallow root system and preferably those that can withstand drier conditions. A watering system can be improvised to provide for the needs of the plants in this vertical garden.
Note the camouflaged air conditioning unit! I took this photo especially for my husband who likes all things "camouflage".
Wrought iron fencing and gates were showcased in a couple booths. I liked this one in particular.
Second from the left in the top row is a new design in modular homes. This is complete with a steel beam structure and is completely built in factory. A model of this sort can be ready within two months! The water gardens in front were a nice touch too. It was so crowded inside so I remained out in front to take photos.
Third from the top, far left: Greenland Garden Stage. This is where my daughter and I met and attended the workshop by Frank Ferragine.
Don't you love this kitchen? You have to see this in real to appreciate the attention to detail which includes built in drawer organizers, spice racks and architectural detail to the facade of each cabinet.
What I didn't like about the show: Not enough about gardens! Where was the representation from the major garden centers? No booths from Greenland, Salisbury, Kuhlmann's, Whitemud, Wellington..... Cannor nurseries had a small booth and one other nursery supposedly had a booth but I couldn't find it. No representation from gardening magazines! Previous years had booths by Gardens West and the Alberta Gardener Magazine. Aside from a few water garden displays, and the garden which Nait students of landscape architecture (all the plant photos above were from this display) designed and constructed, there was minimal emphasis on gardening! It is a Home and Garden Show, right? Too many booths with people selling non-essential items like mops, food choppers, and the like. Sure we use them but I'd rather go to a store.
One display that I enjoyed was that of a night garden scene complete with exterior lighting around a pond and waterfall. This booth was enclosed and darkened so the only light visible was that from the strategically placed garden fixtures and the entrance. Two chairs were placed beyond the foot end of the pond so one could sit and "soak" in the experience. "Mists" arose near the top of the falls and were lit with coloured lights. It was a satisfying and memorable visit. I'm sure their extra efforts will bring them more business. I neglected to write down the name of the company, though. Here's a photo from within the booth:
There was some attention to home security, thus these two suits of armor:
Exterior Living Spaces and Planters photos:
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Bamboo was used within the garden and in planters. |
This grow system is a good innovative idea for a small space.
Come back tomorrow for notes from the workshop presented by Frank Ferragine (Frankie Flowers).
Linking with Mary from Little Red House for Mosaic Monday.
8 comments:
Hi Shirley: At the end of Canada Blooms this year there was a press reslease let out that Canada Blooms was going to be teamed up with the Toronto Home Show next year. It may be a big mistake on the organizers part to do this as the garden show will be more diluted with furniture and do dads. As garden shows go there is a leaning towards the pretty things instead of gardening and that is a big disappointment. My thoughts anyway. Have you heard Donna Balzar from Calgary. She is a very good writer/speaker if you get a chance. Valerie
Valerie,
I have heard of Donna Balzar previously but I'm not sure if it was in a garden magazine or somewhere else.
It is sad that a change of that magnitude is in store for Canada Blooms. It's all those other booths with the intent to sell their gadgets that get on my nerves. Give us more landscape ideas, trends, information, access to professionals in the field. That's what I am looking for. I truly hope Canada Blooms doesn't lose its creative side for this team-up.
Shirley
All photos of container gardens, the gardens, and the exterior setting were part of the NAIT landscape architecture display. Plants were supplied by Greenland Garden Center.
Lovely, Shirley. I see we have both been traipsing around a bit :)
I do believe all the concepts you have presented in your post.
They're really convincing and can certainly work. Still, the posts are very brief for starters. May you please extend them a bit from next time? Thanks for the post.
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