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Give Me Some Gardening Passion

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I love huge urns

I should feel guilty about this. I should, but how will there be future improvements if everyone applauds a less than stellar performance? I was sent tickets to The Central Ohio Home & Garden Show this year, and I should give a thoroughly positive review of it, right? But the problem is that it left me somewhat indifferent.

I did buy seeds and take pictures, but whether it was the economy or the unusually severe winter, while the displays had some interesting ideas, overall, they lacked passion.

I was snowed in at the start of the show, and finally made it on Wednesday. The plants did not seem to be well watered, and were a little wilted looking. Later, I thought it might be due to the colder than usual weather, but I really don’t know what goes into creating the garden displays. Just from the viewpoint of a visitor, I had hoped for more.

Still, there are always benefits from seeing what professionals feel are design elements that create a great landscape.

I’d personally like to see some innovative plant material used in more of the presentations. “Art in Bloom” was the theme, which I expected would be more inspired in execution. Here are the photos and I’d like reader opinions. Granted, the crowded conditions and my less than wonderful pictures may be a handicap, but perhaps you could comment and tell me what you think…hot or not? Is the passion there for you? Or is what’s missing merely me?

A cute raised bed- but plain jane

the newest trend- a green wall

The busiest garden- the bee exhibit

many elements- many sculptures

iconic Ohio

sculptured false cypress

My own favorite -herb garden and wall art

Overall seemed French and Classic, but not sure what is going on

The pond in the sculpture garden

Monet’s Garden Bridge

The “Bee Garden” had the longest line for entry. It reminded me of the displays that Metro Parks has for educating the public about natural features or environmental issues. There were some cute resin bees attached to the tree branches, and a number of bee skeps around, but I didn’t get that the garden was for attracting or supporting bee life. It didn’t seem about the garden and its relationship to bees.

I hate to complain, but (now you know I’m going to) each year I think there are way too many azaleas and rhododendrons. They are hard to grow here, and while they look beautiful in bloom, other flowering shrubs might have given more individuality to the designs. The weeping cherry trees were certainly beautiful. You see, for me it was a mixed bag. And that is a shame, because if the landscape part of the show doesn’t bring in the most money for the exhibitors, it certainly is the biggest draw for the show. The garden displays are what most people go there to see.

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Comments

  1. I agree with you, Ilona. I would’ve like to have seen more of a combined Art/plant love. It seemed to have had just Art or plants and not a healthy compliment to either one. For instance, it would seem a lovely pond (beautiful in it’s own right would be wonderfully complimented by artful frogs/dragonflys. Or the greener areas with some beautiful glazed pots/terrariums/classy artful seating. The areas need to feel inviting, like you want to ‘stay’. It looked rushed. And I’m with you, I really like the idea of the raised herb garden. I would sit there, contented.

  2. most shows that i’ve attended over the years have been somewhat disappointing to me, too. i think
    a designers approach is just like
    a chef’s eager use of too many new exotic ingredients to make a dish more “special”. your pix seem to confirm this. these people have less passion than we who love our gardens seems more like a job– and you are right.
    i’d rather see granny’s old cottage garden, lovingly tended, than all the fancy conceptual displays in the world!

  3. Nothing compares with an individual’s personality infused garden- have to agree with you on that, J.

    I realize that garden show has a different set of parameters, but like Thailand said, the mix could have been better, etc.

    Now that I’m thinking about it it, could it be that “we”, the public create some of this indifference and hyped use of plants? We demand bloom and color at the expense of intelligent and creative design. Maybe we are getting what we have asked for as a group.

    On the other hand, designers have a sort of opportunity, if not obligation, to educate the public taste. I realize this idea harks back to the turn of the last century, but I hold to the idea that gardening is akin to art. And one of art’s aspects is to educate our thinking … about beauty and utility in our surroundings.

    Well…whatever… I think garden design should marry what people want with what they need, and throw in a dose of what is good for us all, for our own and the environments wellbeing.

    Maybe a garden show doesn’t have time for that… unlike the Franklin Park Conservatory, for example….

  4. Hi Ilona. I felt the same way girl. I hated to not give a stellar review after the free tickets but I was let down a little. From the theme I just expected more and felt they really missed a chance to shine. I figured the economy had something to do with it too maybe.Last year was my first year and it was so inventive and filled with color that I guess I had my expectations built sky high for this year. I did love the pot fountain too. LOL!
    Lona

  5. we are a hurry-up culture anyway.
    look at all the plantings in city
    and other buildings’ flowerbeds.
    they drop them in, potbound,in full bloom–uncaring, because they’ll change them out in a couple months…
    it seems landscaping has become
    impermanent, rather than lovingly built layer-upon-layer in a garden space. we want those blooming
    9-packs right away, no time for growing. good for the nursery’s
    economy to encourage this.all
    forms of art take time, and a loving eye., and patience!

  6. Okay, I admit it. I was a little disappointed this year. Yes, I dearly loved a blast of spring after all the snow, but it was all just ho-hum. They are so intent selling major landscaping projects, that they tend to forget about the gardening. No way I’ll ever afford a major stone work project at my house, so what fun is it to look at? Just give me flowers, and lots of them! Your favorite display was also mine. It was the biggest bright spot.

  7. I posted this with just a bit of trepidation- but had decided that my loyalty is to my readers, and they deserved an honest assessment of the show. Apologies for how poor my photos were- I think I need to learn about manual settings especially in a semi-darkened environment.

    HHG- I think that was my Achilles heel, too- I had expected more going into it. But it would have been disappointing no matter what, given the lack of inspiration.

    J- you are too right. It is something that galls me. Speaking of the “impermanent”, I remember the shock of seeing how in Phoenix when someone moves in or out of their suburban Scottdale’s homes… they just roll up the whole landscape and replant everything. Very weird for someone east of the Mississippi to see! A loving eye and patience… those are two needed attributes we all could use more of. Love the way you worded that.

    MsR when you said “They are so intent selling major landscaping projects, that they tend to forget about the gardening.” that about rolled it up and nailed to the wall all that is missing from the market side of the home and garden industry. Well said.