While we who live here in Seattle moan and groan about the rain, the reality is that all that precipitation means we have a wonderfully green part of the country to live in. Our lawns, yards, and flowers are full of color, and gardening is a passion for many who live here.
That⿿s why the
Northwest Flower & Garden Show is such a big hit with area residents, and with visitors who travel to the show to see the thousands and thousands of flowers and plants that temporarily adorn the Convention Center. The Seattle Show ranks with shows in London, Philadelphia, Boston, and San Francisco, as the world⿿s leading garden shows, just one reason why so people plan their Seattle vacation around the time of the Show.
I used to be a devoted attendee of the Show, but over the years, as my yard has gradually taken shape, my attendance has not been as regular. This year⿿s show may change that!
The year⿿s Show, with the theme ⿿The Living Room,⿿ includes six acres of gardens and exhibits, and, like most trade shows, includes a number of seminars and participatory events. The floor plan have been revamped from previous years, so you⿿ll want to take a look at where things are, and plan how to best utilize your time at the Show.
A few of the favorites will be back again this year:
- Treasures of the Tropical Rain Forests ⿿ Tropical plants and Borucan mask carvers from Costa Rica.
- Flora Fantasia ⿿ Incredible blooms from local nurseries, inspired by the Chelsea Flower Shows (London).
- Orchids ⿿ A beautiful display from orchid vendors around the world. I purchased an orchid here about 10 years ago, and, following instructions from the helpful people working at the Show, it did quite well. Unfortunately, during some moving and cleaning, the orchid got dropped, and it never did recover. The moral of the story, however, is that if I can grow an orchid ⿿ you can, too!
- Container Gardens ⿿ Whether it⿿s for a deck, patio, or porch, there are lots of good ideas for gardening in small spaces.
- Great Plant Picks ⿿ The annual list of the best things to plant here in the Pacific Northwest.
- Funky Junk ⿿ Gardening with recyclables.
- Floral Competition ⿿ I can spend hours looking at these displays, and marvel at how simple some of them look. As I look at each of them, I mentally choose which of the displays would look best in my own home.
- Children⿿s Gardens ⿿ It⿿s never too early to start appreciating the earth and what it provides for us. Plus, it⿿s a great chance for kids to use their imagination.
- Ikebana ⿿ Asian serenity and simplicity, with demonstrations to help you create your own Zen Garden at home.
The Flower & Garden Show offers a couple of options to make your visit a little less stressful. You can avoid weekend traffic and parking headaches by taking the weekend shuttle from the Northgate Transit Center or the Eastgate Park & Ride. Cost is $3 round trip. You can find specific details
here.
If you are attending the show with kids, you can take advantage of
free daycare service, with licensed and trained staff, provided by Kinder Care. You can let the little ones enjoy part of the show, and then let them play awhile at the daycare center. All kids must be potty-trained, and there is a maximum daily stay of two hours.
Location: Washington State Convention & Trade Center, 7th & Pike Street.
Dates & Times: February 14-18th. Wednesday-Saturday, 9 am ⿿ 9 pm; Sunday 9 am ⿿ 6 pm.
Tickets: $65 for a 5-day pass; $28 for a 2-day pass; $19 adults (at the door); $16 Adults (advance purchase); $13 adults (half day, after 3 pm); $8 student (25 years and under, with ID); $3 youth (6-17 years); and children 5 and under, free. Advanced tickets can be purchased
online, by phone, and mail, and at various ticket outlets.
Just thinking about all the beautiful displays at the Flower & Garden Show has me yearning for spring. I think it⿿s time to go back again this year. . . .
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seattle,
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Tacoma,
the seattle traveler,
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