Seattle Garden Blogger’s Fling – Day 1

The Seattle Blogger’s Fling, a four-day jamboree of garden bloggers from around the US and Canada, is now in the history books.  “The Fling” as it is known (or #seattlefling on Twitter) was the brainchild of garden writers Lorene Edwards Forkner, Debra Prinzing, and Marty Wingate, all of Seattle, and Mary Ann Newcomer of Idaho. The Northwest Flower & Garden Show was proud to be a major sponsor of this wonderful event.

Now I don’t know what prompted these very busy ladies to take on this major endeavor, but I suspect the Seattle Fling’s seeds first germinated during a heady mix of friendship and girlfriend bonding, with an ample supply of margaritas, causing them to lose their better judgement and agree to be the organizers. The next thing you know, they were committed to delivering this gathering here in Seattle for the first time. All joking aside, our Seattle Fling organizers each had new books in the works to be published later this year, so it’s amazing that they juggled the demanding schedule of writing, editing, photographing, and general angst and also pulled together the Fling!  After nine months of fevered planning and preparing, their heavy labor was just beginning on Day 1. But the fun was at hand for all of us, the grateful beneficiaries of all their blood, sweat and (hopefully not too many) tears. Since I’m a little bit familiar with organizing major events, I was just supremely happy to be one of the lambs in the flock, going along with the herd in whatever direction our shepherds pointed.

On Friday morning I carpooled into Seattle with Jessi Bloom and Angela Davis, and we met up with Theresa Loe, associate producer of the PBS show “Growing a Greener World” and later, Jayme Jenkins. Last February Theresa was at the 2011 Northwest Flower & Garden Show, managing the filming (and the star Joe Lamp’l) for an upcoming episode that features the garden show. (Shameless plug – it airs this weekend on your local PBS station!) Teresa was a nonstop whirling dervish during those days before and during the show, and I was similarly time-challenged managing the seminars and social media for the show. So we promised to be ‘bus buddies’ for the Fling, when we might finally have a chance to sit down and talk for more than 30 nanoseconds at a pop. (When we talked about this last February, July seemed so very, very far away!)

Day 1 started with rare but perfect blue skies and warm sunshine as 68 dynamic women (and one very understanding gentleman) rolled out of the Silver Cloud Inn next to University Village, to begin our first bus journey for the 2011 Seattle Blogger’s Fling. The first stop included two side-by-side gardens in north Seattle adjacent to Carkeek Part, the gardens of Suzette Birrell and Shelagh Tucker.

I’ve known Suzette from her many years of volunteering for the Arboretum Foundation, but I’ve never had a chance to visit the garden she has created with her husband Jim. It was a feast, both literally and figuratively. A cool, shady garden in the front yields to a bountiful edible garden in the rear, nestled against a nature preserve with towering pines adjacent to the property.

Suzette and Jim are growing a smorgasbord of vegetables, artfully arranged, and making good use of the space and sunlight. At the far corner of the garden is the show-stopping focal point – a large shed painted a striking shade of cerulean blue. Inside a freshly-picked bounty of garlic and shallots were drying. The ingenious light fixtures were simple light bulbs set in silver aluminum buckets.  One blogger remarked, “That is far too clever for me.” Creative touches and “repurposing” of cast-off materials were everywhere.

There were still more edibles in the garden directly behind the shed, but hiding along the back wall, sandwiched in the few feet between the shed and the property line, are six huge rain barrels. Suzette explained that the shed was designed with a single slanted roof in order to collect all the rain from it. The rainwater is used to keep the vegetables watered during our so-called “Mediterranean” summer, when we’re supposed to be dry and sunny for 90 days. (Really, that’s what the experts say. So far this year we haven’t gone longer than three days without rain.)

The front of the shed is actually a narrow greenhouse, and tall tomato plants were reaching for the sky in this warm, bright spot. There’s a potting bench at the front, and I imagined this could be a warm and cozy spot on a cold, clear winter day, potting up seeds, with a nice hot latte (or toddy) at hand.

Next door to the Birrell garden is the garden of Shelagh Tucker. I have heard and read about Shelagh’s garden and missed the chance to see it when it has been open for tours in the past. Established in 2002, Shelagh was inspired by Beth Chatto’s gravel garden, and she makes full use of the sunny exposure in the front with a lush display of drought-tolerant plants, surrounded by creamy beige crushed rock that lends a wonderful warmth to the area.

As you walk to the rear garden you are enveloped by shade, and come upon a cool circular pond and sitting area, perfect for those rare days when one might actually repose and read a book, rather than tend the garden (although I suspect Shelagh is rarely in repose). Here the garden is an English-style mixed border, predominantly filled with a rich pink, burgundy and blue palette (my favorite!) and edibles tucked here and there. Shelagh has a keen sense of color, and there are beautiful combinations and echoes at play in the plantings. Off to the side sits an ample greenhouse, with tomatoes towering in open cold frames on one end, catching the afternoon sun.

We all followed orders from our fearless leaders and tore ourselves away from these garden gems, piling back into our two buses and comparing notes and photos on the tiny screens of our cameras. Next stop: the historic E.B. Dunn Woodland Garden. 

It’s hard to imagine that The Dunn Gardens were once a “country” home, miles away from downtown Seattle, where the family could escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Carved from a sloping wooded property, and designed by the famous Olmstead Brothers in 1916, The Dunn Gardens are now one of the Pacific Northwest’s premier historic gardens, on the national register. They are an outstanding example of how thoughtful stewardship of the land and fidelity to the original garden plan can result in a garden that remains timeless, no matter what age or nature might bring. Curators Charles Price and Glenn Withey manage to inject their own personality into their private garden at the rear of the cottage, and maintain a respectful homage to the Olmstead design everywhere else, eliminating invasives and replacing plants past their prime to give the garden a fresh appeal.

The gracious Dunn Gardens docents were on hand to take us around the garden and explain the history, share a bit of gossip, and ID plants for us. I got a glimpse of the new bee hives, recently installed by Corky Luster of Ballard Bee Company. The bees were really active in the warm sunlight, swarming around the raspberry bushes that were behind the hives – raspberry honey anyone? We enjoyed a terrific box lunch on the sunny patio and lawn, with Lorene & Company sorting our food leftovers and recycling the compostables like the good Seattleites we are. Then we loaded the buses again (anyone missing?) and headed back into Seattle, fortunately not finding any major gridlock, which is rare for a Friday afternoon heading into downtown. Next stop: the University of Washington Botanic Gardens (UWBG), with the Soest Herbaceous Display Garden and the Elizabeth C. Miller Library, one of the best botanical libraries in the US.

We were greeted by Rizanino “Riz” Reyes, a designer, nurseryman and blogger, who gave us an overview of the demonstration garden. I first met Riz 15 years ago, when he was a wee slip of a lad, and gave him his first award for the annual garden competition sponsored by the garden show. Although back then he was just a teenager, he had a gleam in his eye that people only get when they have either a serious fever – or serious plant lust. Fortunately with Riz it was the latter, and his plant lust remains today.

The last stop of the day was a highlight, which is saying a lot because all of the day was a highlight, with each stop seemingly more delicious than the previous one. We headed to Ravenna Gardens, in University Village, for some hearty hors d’ oeuvres, drinks, a lot of garden gab and some terrific Swag bags filled with treats and plants.

Gillian Mathews, owner of Ravenna Gardens, has created a unique nursery and garden gift store that is filled with delightful vignettes of must-have items – books, accessories, tools, outdoor furniture, linens, soaps, containers and plants, loads of plants, even a traveling chicken coop. Everywhere you turn, there’s something to covet, and better still, we got 20% off an purchase. The Ravenna Gardens display at the Northwest Flower & Garden Show is always one of my favorites, and for the past two years Gillian’s container garden exhibition on the sky bridge has taken top awards: in 2010 they won Best Design, and in 2011 they won both the Best Plant Material and the People’s Choice Award. It’s easy to see why.

Then we were off to dinner, and many thanks to Piatta in the U Village for taking my reservation – for 18 people – a mere 45 minutes beforehand. We enjoyed a fine Italian dinner, and by the end most of us had hit the wall and were ready for a good night’s slumber, because Day 2 would be dawning for us only 12 hours later. 

For more photos of Day 1 of the Seattle Blogger’s Fling go to our Facebook page. ~ Janet

 

Here’s What’s Happening in August

Tuesday, August 2
7:00 pm
BBGS Annual Trillium Celebration
“Adventures and Words of Wisdom When Plant Hunting in SW China”
Kelly Dodson & Sue Milliken
Join plant geeks extraordinaire Kelly Dodson and Sue Milliken, owners of Far Reaches Farm in Poulsbo, for a lively talk. Hosted wine and cheese tasting; dessert, coffee & champagne toast. This event is NOT at the Bellevue Botanical Garden, but is in the Factoria area, just off Richards Road near I-90.
Reservations required; door prizes.
Bellevue Botanical Garden Society
12700 SE 32nd Street, Bellevue, WA
Members: Free; non-members $30.
Visit the BBG website for reservations and directions, or call 425-452-4216.

Saturday, August 6
5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
“Music in the Garden”
Bellevue Botanical Garden Society
Pack a picnic dinner and a blanket to spread on the lawn for a special night of family entertainment and music in the Garden. The Fabulous Roadstars will provide excellent Dixieland music for your enjoyment. Genii Blue the Clown will entertain the kids. No alcoholic beverages and no pets, please. Parking is limited, so please consider carpooling. Open to the public.
Admission is free; donations encouraged.
Bellevue Botanical Garden
12001 Main Street, Bellevue, WA
Visit the BBG website or call 425-451-3755.

Sunday, August 7
1:00 pm
“Roses and Clematis as Ornamental Shrubs”
Linda Beutler
Rose devotee and clematis worshipper Linda Beutler has asked to share her knowledge about two plants she truly loves. First, she will talk about roses – with their hips, bark and foliage – as ornamental shrubs. From years of experience, she knows that if you make the right selections (and there are tens of thousands to choose from), you “can” have roses that provide interest for more than just the flowering season, like any other good ornamental shrub. Linda will share her criteria for picking the roses that work best in organically grown mixed shrub and herbaceous perennial gardens. And Linda says, believe it or not, there are also clematis which can be grown as ornamental shrubs. Since they tend to bloom during the dog days of late July and August (when most other clematis are napping in anticipation of their autumn rebloom), this is the perfect time to get acquainted with them.
Free and open to the public; no registration required.
Joy Creek Nursery
20300 NW Watson Road, Scappose, Oregon 97056
Visit the Joy Creek Nursery website for more information or call 503-543-7474.

Thursday, August 11
5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
“Midsummer’s Eve”
A Party in the Gardens at the Bloedel Reserve
Wonderful things await guests at the Midsummer’s Eve garden party: A feast of small bites and heavenly pairings of wines and ales from our wonderful event partners  – more than 25 restaurants, wineries and breweries; an array of delicious desserts, served during a festive short program; Three amazing live auction items, including one never-before offered opportunity; a unique selection of delightful silent auction items; a raffle an terrific prize; and as twilight falls, linger on our lovely lawn for music (and dancing?).
Individual tickets: $125
Call 206-842-7631 for information about the benefits of table sponsorship.
To purchase tickets go to Brown Paper Tickets.
Bloedel Reserve
7571 Northeast Dolphin Drive, Bainbridge Isle, WA 98110
Visit the Bloedel Reserve website for more information.

Saturday, August 13 & Sunday, August 14
10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Fronderosa Frolic
Once again horticulture devotees will be gathering in the woods to celebrate plants and gardening. The Fronderosa Frolic has become a happening event every August. Started by Judith Jones, owner of Fancy Fronds Nursery, it’s a festival of plants, both rare and common, but all invaluable for Northwest gardens, blended together with garden art and the wit and wisdom of some of the Northwest’s premier specialty growers. You will discover plants that are not available at any of the big box stores, and talk to the experts who grow them, including carnivorous plants, species Rhododendrons, plants from China, New Zealand and South Africa, and many must-have perennials. There are also some artists and gardening accessories selling hand-blown glass, sculpture, twig furniture, concrete art and much more.
Free and open to the public.
Fancy Fronds Nursery
Gold Bar, WA
Visit the Fancy Fronds website for more information, a vendor list and for driving directions.

Tuesday, August 16
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Shakespeare in the Park
“As You Like it”
Bellevue Youth Theater
Love, exile and passion flow in the Shakespeare work, “As You Like It.” This piece will be presented in an hour format. Come enjoy Shakespeare this summer in the best of Bellevue places. This event is free and presented by The Bellevue Youth Theatre Foundation.
Bellevue Botanical Garden
12001 Main Street, Bellevue, WA 98005
Visit the BBG website for more information or call 425-452-6826.

Thursday, August 18
3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
“Seattle Children’s PlayGarden”
Wendy Welch
Wendy Welch, garden designer for the Seattle Children’s PlayGarden, will give a presentation illustrating the challenging design process for the ecologically designed garden for children of all abilities. Wendy will lead a tour of the garden that includes a butterfly garden, farm with chickens and bunnies, vegetable garden, water wise garden, and much more.
Members $25; Non-members $35.00; limit 15
Northwest Horticultural Society
Seattle Children’s PlayGarden
1745 – 24th Avenue South, Seattle, WA 98144
Visit the NHS website for more information or call 206-780-8172.

Saturday, August 20
Garden Conservancy Open Days
Olympia, WA Area
Visit six of the south Puget Sound region’s most celebrated gardens that include features such as waterwise gardening, a rain garden, a massive Koi pond with hundreds of Koi, a Certified Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary, a garden with over 4,000 plants, gurgling waterfalls, a grape arbour, and an Asian-inspired, Northwest fusion garden. Unlike pre-programmed garden tours, Open Days garden tours are self-guided and flexible. You can shape your itinerary and set the pace to suit your interests. Information for a limited number of gardens (those whose owners agree to be online) is also available on their website. Open Days are rain or shine events and no reservations are required.
Admission to each private garden is $5 per person (cash or check); children 12 and under free.
Visit the Garden Conservancy website for more information about discounted tickets or to order a 2011 Open Days Directory.

Saturday, August 20
Sunday, August 21
10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Eastside Fuchsia Society Plant Show and Sale
Featuring a great selection of plants from Eastside gardeners.
Bellevue Botanical Garden
12001 Main Street, Bellevue, WA 98005
Visit the BBG website for more information or call 425-452-2750.

Friday, August 26
1:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Saturday, August 27 & Sunday, August 28
10:00 am – 6:00 pm
“Art in the Garden”
Bellevue Botanical Garden Society
The second annual “Art in the Garden” features 30 artists this year and added a half-day on Friday! This beautiful exhibit is produced by Bellevue Botanical Garden Society and Gallery by the Bay. Sculptures and garden art by thirty outstanding Northwest artists will grace the gardens, each in its own private space. From the serious and simplistic to the whimsical and elaborate, exhibits will include works in metal, wood, blown and fused glass, bronze and other outdoor-appropriate materials. A number of artists will be on hand to discuss their work; a percentage of all sales will be donated to support Garden projects.
Bellevue Botanical Garden
12001 Main Street, Bellevue, WA 98005
Visit the BBG website for more information or call 425-451-3755.

PLAN AHEAD

Friday, September 23
5:30 pm
“Alice in Gardenland”
BBGS 2011 Gala Auction
The event of the season – cocktails, silent auction, dinner and live auction with famed auctioneer John Curley and his trusted sidekick, Jim Dever, from “Evening Magazine” fame. Watch the BBG website as more information is available – including the many fabulous auctions items perfect for gardening enthusiasts.
Tickets $110 per person
Bellevue Botanical Garden Society
Harbor Club
777 108th Ave. NE, Bellevue, WA 98004
Visit the BBG website for more information and to purchase tickets.

Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2011
11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Seattle Children’s PlayGarden
Give & Grow Luncheon!
There is no charge for admission. During the program, guests will learn about the PlayGarden’s mission and have the opportunity to make a donation to help more children benefit from our inclusive recreational and therapeutic programs. To ensure that as many supporters as possible can attend our most important fundraiser of the year, we are pleased to announce a new date and location for our Give & Grow Luncheon. We hope you will join us to learn how your support will enhance the lives of children with special needs in our community. Would you consider being a Table Captain and/or Sponsor of the luncheon?
Seattle Children’s PlayGarden
The Four Seasons Hotel
99 Union Street, Seattle, WA 98101
Visit the Seattle Children’s PlayGarden website for more information or call 206-227-5458.

Let’s hope “summer” sticks around for more than three days for these great August events in the Pacific Northwest.  Before we know it, fall will have arrived and with it, the rainy season. Huh? It seems like the “rainy season” never left, but look at it this way - at least we don’t have to water so often. And, there are only 197 days until the opening of the 2012 Northwest Flower & Garden Show! There’s always a silver lining somewhere.~ Janet