Ann Arbor Flower & Garden Show (brief report)

[Pat Kiewicz]

Here's a brief report on the Ann Arbor Flower & Garden Show.

Most over-exposed plant: Malva sylvestris 'Zebrina' (it must be easy to
coax into bloom). (There are always so many tulips and daffs around
that they are ineligible for this award.)

Plant that gathered the most note-takers: Lysimachia congestiflora
'Outback Sunset' -- low growing, variagated foliage, cheery yellow
flowers. -- What on earth was such an unusual plant doing in the
booth promoting the town of Saline, MI? And where can we all get one??

A great handout: "Your Landscape and Our Natural Areas" from the
Parks & Recreation Dept. of the City of Ann Arbor. Promotes native
plants, give a very nice explanation of common and scientific names
(and why you should use the latter escpecially when seeking out native
plants), and provides a good list of plants that you shouldn't plant.

The plant judging: Boy, those judges were *thorough*, honest, and -- to
my eye -- fair, based on their comments. (I'd be embarrassed to have them
judge some of my houseplants.)

Flower arrangements: People!! This is about flowers, not just the devices
that hold them!! Sheesh!! And can you do something to inspire those of us
who can't afford to buy several proteas?? (To the judges' credit, I noticed
a few remarks about the containers overpowering the flora.)

Most tempting sales-booth that I didn't buy from: Suguaro Rare Plants
Nursery.
But I had made a pre-show promise not to buy plants. No matter how amazing or
lucious they were.

The item I had-to-have when I saw it: The engraved wooden plaque that read
(underneath the flowers) "Martha Stewart Does Not Live Here" and in smaller
letters below "It's a Good Thing."

--
Pat in Plymouth MI