Best (Garden-related) Ideas

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Moon window and garden designed by P. Annie Kirk, Red Bird Restorative Gardens

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Hamamelis x intermedia Arnold Promise trained into tree form

Visiting garden shows is like viewing a microcosm of the nursery and landscape design industry...you can see what’s hot, trendy and inspirational. The Yard, Garden & Patio Show, presented by Dennis' Seven Dees Landscaping & Garden Centers, takes four days to set up, three days to enjoy and one day to clear the show from the convention center. (To see a time lapse video of the Showcase Gardens set up, click here.) Kym Pokorny, garden writer for The Oregonian, thought the use of metal was the top trend at the show. It’s true; you could find metal everywhere, from rusted steel art and edging to accents in miniature gardens. I would have to say the top plant was witch hazel (Hamamelis); their sweetly scented spidery blooms were everywhere.

Here are some of the many "best ideas" I noticed at the show:

Best idea #1 – Creating intimate spaces

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Dennis' Seven Dees Landscaping & Garden Centers floating deck created a grotto-like effect. Photo courtesy of Kym Pokorny, The Oregonian

Best idea #2 – Creating spaces to share with family and friends


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The inviting Urban Edible Garden, created by Carol Senna, Melingo Studio Landscape Design, had everything one needs to entertain, from table to pizza oven

Best idea #3 – Creating places for children to play and engage with nature

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Created by Iftikhar Ahmed, Treeline Designz, cascading LED lights mimiced the shape of the weeping willow and fascinated children and adults! Photo courtesy of Kym Pokorny, The Oregonian

Best idea #4 – Using colorful vegetables in garden beds and among ornamental plants


Best idea #5 – Spaces for relaxation

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Relaxation at its best. Swinging bed designed by L. Meyer Design and built by JP Stone Contractors

Best idea #6 – Creative uses for found materials


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Another Carol Senna inspired touch, using a branch as a door handle and reclaimed windows to create a mini greenhouse/potting shed

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Time consuming but effective, Autumn Leaf Landscaping created an edging mosaic using slices of branches

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This was the most creative water feature at the show! Old Weber BBQs were crafted into a fountain. Designed by Linda Meyer.

Best idea #7 – Creating mini garden vignettes

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Aspen Creek Landscaping used this mini-scape to break up a large paved area

Best idea #8 – Using Great Plant Picks as a resource to find plants that perform well in the maritime northwest (and a new resource, www.PlantSomethingOregon.com, to learn about the health and environmental benefits of plants)

If you were able to attend the Yard, Garden & Patio Show, or any other garden show, please share your “Best of...” moments.