tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47664928316058199342024-03-18T02:19:58.625-07:00A Next Generation GardenerHorticulturist and plantsman, Rizaniño "Riz" Reyes, shares his thoughts, experiences and observations as an avid young gardener in the Pacific Northwest.Riz Reyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07706238373661664859noreply@blogger.comBlogger338125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766492831605819934.post-1367363522496410732015-01-21T00:36:00.001-08:002015-01-21T00:36:45.462-08:00A Review of 2014 and the close of "The Next Generation Gardener"<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It’s
a new year already and I’m just now getting around to writing an update for you
all. It was a busy and overwhelming holiday season, like it always is, and I
haven’t had an opportunity to do a whole “Year In Review” until now. Scroll down below to see what a tremendous year it's been!</span><br />
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<b>Now, after some careful though, I've decided to discontinue this blog as<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> “A
Next Generation Gardener”. </span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> I feel terrible that it's been badly neglected over these past few months and with more elaborate and more active and prominent blogs out there, I simply don't have the time to really boost the level it should be and as much as I love sharing information and stories about my plant adventures and experiences, it hasn't really support my business endeavors nor gained much of a following since I didn't really push and promote it nor offered a real consistent update. Someone even called the title a bit pretentious and overly ambitious. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Maybe I’ll just let it sit and have it just be a
reference or consider a different blog/different name and sign a
contract with myself to commit to one blog post each week at a bare minimum. I could also ask for contributions to the blog, but again, it's very time consuming and I just plain-hate bothering people for something that might just sit there. I'll figure something out.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">With many other aspects of social media that makes it much easier to update and stay connected, I'll still be on my <a href="http://facebook.com/landwave">Facebook page for RHR Horticulture & Landwave Gardens</a> and I’m quite
active on <a href="http://instagram.com/rhrhorticulture">Instagram</a> and sometimes through <a href="http://twitter.com/nextgengardener">Twitter</a> (thanks to Instagram). So, if
you’re interested in following my work, those are the places to visit and
check.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">As my last post on here (for the time being) I'd like to review and share the past year with you all:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> January</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimXA9pjDQj8H6WSgUxbV90UV3h1UTKKKJDc-Dhff6wYQBCmd7wr3BmfcfnhWE5sDOP9lOO6MVZmGPrcrCz_o4pdRkSL-2TXu4-cRoNjBdUmbwud1QGok-c4cD3GUJiZNmCxrODgFcsZQJi/s1600/1++Carly+and+Riz+at+LoveSick.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimXA9pjDQj8H6WSgUxbV90UV3h1UTKKKJDc-Dhff6wYQBCmd7wr3BmfcfnhWE5sDOP9lOO6MVZmGPrcrCz_o4pdRkSL-2TXu4-cRoNjBdUmbwud1QGok-c4cD3GUJiZNmCxrODgFcsZQJi/s1600/1++Carly+and+Riz+at+LoveSick.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi41UViB90jbqPY7h6BEDOy4-GCPvvAOIfZs5cSHzhyo-q7s0e_x1Hw8tdzOlTMTbr9EveuUpz5cbmMqCj6kbk6taGJyX6G_nlcIkX92IMR7FQBa3gx91IZI-5-D8c94oXzhVIltEKsIxgP/s1600/1+Woodland+and+Man+Bouquet+2014+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi41UViB90jbqPY7h6BEDOy4-GCPvvAOIfZs5cSHzhyo-q7s0e_x1Hw8tdzOlTMTbr9EveuUpz5cbmMqCj6kbk6taGJyX6G_nlcIkX92IMR7FQBa3gx91IZI-5-D8c94oXzhVIltEKsIxgP/s1600/1+Woodland+and+Man+Bouquet+2014+(1).JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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I kicked off the beginning of the year launching a piece referred to as the "Man Bouquet" that was unveiled at the <a href="http://www.lovesickexpo.com/">Love Sick Wedding Expo</a> in Seattle. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> February</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZaiPkmQI7fRGCZospLOxTXVARvCGDi3fnLChZ7Hitv5kIMQfw7BJbqa0BnxPdqEKOelP0NGRAI7DnigucyHiekUfZEonY7wCFSRoFnHR-q_RDAd31CFZ5gM5_q3mjX9jFs6h6PRBbls1f/s1600/2+Nicole+in+Car+before+show.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZaiPkmQI7fRGCZospLOxTXVARvCGDi3fnLChZ7Hitv5kIMQfw7BJbqa0BnxPdqEKOelP0NGRAI7DnigucyHiekUfZEonY7wCFSRoFnHR-q_RDAd31CFZ5gM5_q3mjX9jFs6h6PRBbls1f/s1600/2+Nicole+in+Car+before+show.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKh-QKqz-G56MZGkAEmPpvv6sa9ZOVSzJu_UNNAyl80MihZZz-JcWs98UrMCgNJb3CBTNlYzKar0U9ujcvpmNcRZdz2RpVGJ9zXJdZBmDxSYqGapq262jyDQh682J3laeeUusfUiTItY2r/s1600/2+IMG_3833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKh-QKqz-G56MZGkAEmPpvv6sa9ZOVSzJu_UNNAyl80MihZZz-JcWs98UrMCgNJb3CBTNlYzKar0U9ujcvpmNcRZdz2RpVGJ9zXJdZBmDxSYqGapq262jyDQh682J3laeeUusfUiTItY2r/s1600/2+IMG_3833.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
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With Nicole Cordier Walhquist heading out to the Washington State Convention Center to build our design for the <a href="http://gardenshow.com/">Northwest Flower and Garden Show</a> Floral Competition where we took the "People's Choice" Award!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> March</span></span></div>
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With Sandra Laubenthal, one of the owners of <a href="http://www.peterkortroses.com/">Peterkort Roses</a> in Hillboro, OR, sampling the scent of one of my most favorite cut old-fashioned garden roses called 'Helga Piaget'. Peterkort suffered from a <a href="http://www.oregonlive.com/hillsboro/index.ssf/2014/12/fire_at_peterkort_roses_greenh.html">devastating fire</a> last month and is slowly recovering. The Valentine's Day crop was lost and they're hoping to have Mother's Day on schedule. </div>
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I was exceedingly thrilled and honored to be mentioned in the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/06/garden/scratching-a-niche.html?_r=0">New York Times on an article</a> about plant selections in garden design. This was so amazing to be a part of this!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">April</span></span></div>
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A major project for me working with <a href="http://finegardening.com/">Fine Gardening magazine</a> that featured some of my container designs for a Container Gardening supplement! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyINtkLlfmSYBGRbOvZc_TZW8mZsIrhzqN9L-XDNCurvXc86UqaKSyH20Z6VALRRYhpZE4o9qbqIvDx6-uMny7zzHNM7EOkKDcUm9bCz22wal6-FsWFuNvgCK4lxaIcmFvRnD1a5umIltS/s1600/4+IMG_4902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyINtkLlfmSYBGRbOvZc_TZW8mZsIrhzqN9L-XDNCurvXc86UqaKSyH20Z6VALRRYhpZE4o9qbqIvDx6-uMny7zzHNM7EOkKDcUm9bCz22wal6-FsWFuNvgCK4lxaIcmFvRnD1a5umIltS/s1600/4+IMG_4902.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> A trip down to the San Francisco Bay Area to visit friends, family, and numerous gardens, flower markets and nurseries including the amazing <a href="http://www.floragrubb.com/">Flora Grubb</a>. I was lucky enough to meet her briefly in person and compliment her on her wonderful work and the great team she's assembled to run the most innovative and beautiful retail spaces I've ever seen!</span></div>
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Each April always brings me down to visit with friends in Portland, OR to take part in the Hardy Plant Society's Spring Plant Sale dubbed "Hortlandia"! </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">May</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge_8cjfA1Sv64pKBGI-o_ASmkss0Xi-jy2WJ6cClitwxF42SnAKxx1L9VZb7FSplIY4NvVCOChWyq8mWa6CNziea-66_23zHD7pWvp6fMkf4DV8RFeGZYwMtakTUWiXo4PTDiNY_Rv6Iki/s1600/5+Peonies+and+Iris.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge_8cjfA1Sv64pKBGI-o_ASmkss0Xi-jy2WJ6cClitwxF42SnAKxx1L9VZb7FSplIY4NvVCOChWyq8mWa6CNziea-66_23zHD7pWvp6fMkf4DV8RFeGZYwMtakTUWiXo4PTDiNY_Rv6Iki/s1600/5+Peonies+and+Iris.JPG" height="240" width="320" /> </a></div>
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The beautiful month of May took me down to Oregon to fulfill a goal of mine since I was very young. I stayed with my friends at <a href="http://sebrightgardens.com/">Sebright Gardens</a> in Salem and then visits to nearby <a href="http://peonyparadise.com/">Adelman's Peony Gardens</a> and the infamous <a href="http://schreinersgardens.com/">Schreiner's Iris Gardens</a>. Later on I also ventured to <a href="http://www.heirloomroses.com/">Heirloom Roses</a> in St. Paul to see a most amazing collection of roses I've even seen in full bloom the USA.</div>
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I had to just chill out, relax and be silly at one of my most favorite gardens in the world: Northwest Garden Nursery in Eugene, OR. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> June</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5NKWI_6RPnyeg_BkACAq-PB793RVrVuBtdlZPgZ1JkPcvkJSKyF-wrOwdQw49y4CvsJBi3xVclC5fuZsErbRXbTJaO9X_qpAOq5B0cDSKR25yq8J7GJY5MQCepdNwrBMRFlyp4ATTHOjb/s1600/6+Gretchen+Riz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5NKWI_6RPnyeg_BkACAq-PB793RVrVuBtdlZPgZ1JkPcvkJSKyF-wrOwdQw49y4CvsJBi3xVclC5fuZsErbRXbTJaO9X_qpAOq5B0cDSKR25yq8J7GJY5MQCepdNwrBMRFlyp4ATTHOjb/s1600/6+Gretchen+Riz.jpg" height="320" width="222" /></a></div>
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June was full of celebrations including my sister, Gretchen, finishing her nursing degree from the University of Washington. Yes, I made her floral crown and later learned that I had to spend more time processing them so it wouldn't weigh so much. </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> June was the perfect time to get away, head east to the U-Pick farms of Western Washington and pick sun-ripened strawberries early in the morning. It's back-breaking work for those who have to do it to earn a living, but not having a personal garden to really grow them on, I felt like I could have stayed there the whole day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> July</span></span></div>
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I found myself in the Midwestern USA for the first time ever for <a href="http://cultivate15.org/">Cultivate 2014 </a>. Formally known as the OFA (Ohio Floral Association) Short Course, it was the largest gathering of nursery industry professionals I've ever attended and it's the largest horticultural expo and convention in North America. Not only was it a wealth of horticultural industry knowledge and new plant introductions, it was so amazing to connect and re-connect with some of the most wonderful people.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> Speaking of wonderful people, these two ladies have brought me a lot of personal success and fulfillment by supporting my major floral endeavors during the summer wedding season. Of course there's Nicole again to the right and then there's Lacey Leinbaugh of Blue Lace Design. Lacey is also a horticulturist who does exquisite floral work and the three of us spent our time working together exploring the possibilities of our skills and aspirations in the floral industry. Not only are they some of the most talented designers I know, they're also the most modest and kindest. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> Late summer meant taking a break and reconnecting with friends I haven't seen in a long long time! This is Sophia and we knew each other in high school for one year since I was already a senior when she was a freshman, but we were in play production together and continued to perform in dance after I graduated and it's pretty remarkable how we can just pick up where we left off. She's as bubbly and fun as I remember her to be! Here we played tourist following a Michael Jackson flash mob we both took part in!</span></div>
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I reconnected with my friends and colleagues once again for the <a href="http://farwestshow.com/">Farwest Show</a> in Portland, OR where a new gardening app was launched called <a href="http://growitmobile.com/">"GrowIt" (sort of like a Yelp for buying and choosing plants to grow)</a> and I tried my hand in designing a floral beard for the great Lloyd Traven of <a href="http://www.peacetreefarm.com/">Peace Tree Farm</a> in Kintnersville, PA. </span></div>
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Lacey and I checking out the vast fields of blooming dahlias at <a href="http://dahlias.com/">Swan Island Dahlias</a> in Canby, OR. </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A beautiful. moonlit, summer evening at a concert in Marymoor Park in Bellevue, WA. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: large;">September</span><br />
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Fellow horticulturist Preston Pew with botanical taxonomist Dr. Ross Bayton, and flower grower Agnes Cwalina during our late summer visit to <a href="http://heronswood.com/">Heronswood</a>. The famous garden is slowly being renovated in the hopes that it regains its full glory as a horticultural mecca once again and it might take us, the next generation of passionate plantspeople, to make it happen.</div>
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In between all the plant and flower activities, I made time to learn some choreography and take part in the final GLEE Flash Mob performed here in Seattle! <a href="http://youtu.be/qH3TRPlZGiw">Here's a link to our performance</a>. See if you can spot me!</div>
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One of the joys of doing flowers for events is contributing to a cause that helps so many people in need. Each year for the past 3 years, I've done floral work for the Rose International Fund for Children. This was a lovely moment sharing a bouquet of greens and flowers to Nirmala Gyawali, a project coordinator for the foundation's efforts in Nepal. Born blind, she has a most inspiring story of perserverance and dedication and I was honored that she still noticed my work through the texture and scent of the flowers and foliage. </div>
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Some personal time off camping up in the cascades on the Mountain Loop Trail with my friend, Reid. It was sort of nice not having cell phone reception.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> My brother, Karl, sharing his fruits of his labor with this bumper crop of wine and table grapes in his garden.</span></div>
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A trip up to Vancouver, BC is always greeted with fine company: friends and loved ones and great gardens and food! I attended and did flowers for a benefit dinner and I took some time to meet up with UBC Botanical Garden curator. Brent Hine.</div>
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We said "Farewell" to one of my mentors when I was a student and volunteer at the UW Botany Greenhouse. Doug Ewing retired as greenhouse manager for over 30 years and wish him all the best! He's one of the most resourceful and encouraging people you'll ever know and was always so committed to his work, his staff and the students he supported. </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> Back in the studio, this time as a guest instructor to a group of lovely young ladies at a small ballet school in Lake Forest Park, WA. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">So I actually went out for Halloween and made some new friends!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: large;">November </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">My first attempt at a European bouquet turned out surprisingly well and people seemed to really like it and it lasted for several weeks! </span></div>
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I went to three concerts this year and this was the last one I attended and it freakin' rocked! This is the UK Band, Bastille, performing at Key Arena in Seattle. </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">BUSTED: Late night floral shenanigans...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">...to create this....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">.....for this. Visiting my friends, the Edwards family, with their youngest son, Chance!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It was really a fulfilling year with so many wonderful adventures, achievements, and many events I won't soon forget. It makes me look at the coming year with more confidence and an eagerness to excel and accomplish even more.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Thank you to everyone who's kept up with this blog. I hope you've enjoyed my posts and all that I've shared on here. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Warm regards,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Riz </span></div>
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Riz Reyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07706238373661664859noreply@blogger.com161tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766492831605819934.post-48050575110684538492014-09-15T01:23:00.000-07:002014-09-15T01:23:20.788-07:00Growing a Goddess: A look at Bearded IrisesLast May, I took a trip down to the Willamette Valley to visit several nurseries that, since I was a little kid, have always DREAMED of visiting! One of those places is <a href="http://www.schreinersgardens.com/">Schreiner's Iris</a> in Salem, OR.<br />
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Quite possibly the largest growers IN THE WORLD, the variety is outstanding and the quality of plants one gets from Schreiner's is simply top of the class.While <b>it's nearing the end of shipping season </b>for them, <b>there's still time to get a few plants</b> in if you're a Pacific Northwest gardener!<br />
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Bearded Iris grow from rhizomes. They are modified stems similar looking to a ginger root you find in the produce department (also a type of rhizome) that sit just above the soil surface with the fleshy roots in the ground.<br />
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They have sword-like gray-green foliage and from the center of the fan of foliage will emerge a stalk bearing the buds and eventual flowers.<br />
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The trip to Schreiners was absolutely amazing even thought it was past peak bloom. But wow, the incredible show they still put on!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The exquisite display gardens! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buy a big bundle of fresh cut Irises home with you!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJkia4H8vg5EqEMXi7ZLDr3dw9sRNRvE-qscWOsEB0-qDpnswRmo_ec67zX_6IMY8AcZQqFZGrg_lZzsiTvOk7kB1jZ0LAOA2fUGe_iuESAT5nrx6waAx9fYbygO-f5Cno5KS3q4tnS2Rq/s1600/DSC01851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJkia4H8vg5EqEMXi7ZLDr3dw9sRNRvE-qscWOsEB0-qDpnswRmo_ec67zX_6IMY8AcZQqFZGrg_lZzsiTvOk7kB1jZ0LAOA2fUGe_iuESAT5nrx6waAx9fYbygO-f5Cno5KS3q4tnS2Rq/s1600/DSC01851.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An assortment of cut blooms always on display, always labelled.....</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...so you can order exactly which varieties you want to be shipped at the proper planting time for your area! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhURJyC52FlzVhehtQsFDn4bSo7_65RyT83Qm_NgntvLb6fOcFKFgK3zyN2wFC1LYgXQW9EYZ68qd3weBEh1oslkTfpnMWZyXBH5h_GMRszHFkZH5yVR9Y40P_uYfdxZv1WHTY2OCb1hZQ8/s1600/DSC02006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhURJyC52FlzVhehtQsFDn4bSo7_65RyT83Qm_NgntvLb6fOcFKFgK3zyN2wFC1LYgXQW9EYZ68qd3weBEh1oslkTfpnMWZyXBH5h_GMRszHFkZH5yVR9Y40P_uYfdxZv1WHTY2OCb1hZQ8/s1600/DSC02006.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rows and rows of phenomenal color out in the fields!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A future introduction??</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWW1nxcz9H4kdILXBpm_aizZhNE5MIoUARg2bqzoCYYkOiTUovV7iOfqWH2Gf8NtEGVWshZybzXHtFv7y-uIkye-K2wRjsw6CQ0WiBj_jnerVrn4hWZGlKo91Muiz6Jco1YsM4RKp3t_5m/s1600/DSC02018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWW1nxcz9H4kdILXBpm_aizZhNE5MIoUARg2bqzoCYYkOiTUovV7iOfqWH2Gf8NtEGVWshZybzXHtFv7y-uIkye-K2wRjsw6CQ0WiBj_jnerVrn4hWZGlKo91Muiz6Jco1YsM4RKp3t_5m/s1600/DSC02018.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New stars waiting in the wings</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg61xvzkl2Fceg2NLa71WX820Q_01CSgy3x-QR3UblRX7lxlYI5Sr4-0Y--ogaCN7wjbQ7NtmKDXnzjjbVPa1KcD7F-71Eq-_5uo9EZys6y3ljy1PJbwIvXVGXWuFrhEbbV8kzQC6IsgRo5/s1600/DSC02023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg61xvzkl2Fceg2NLa71WX820Q_01CSgy3x-QR3UblRX7lxlYI5Sr4-0Y--ogaCN7wjbQ7NtmKDXnzjjbVPa1KcD7F-71Eq-_5uo9EZys6y3ljy1PJbwIvXVGXWuFrhEbbV8kzQC6IsgRo5/s1600/DSC02023.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I had a wonderful honor of meeting Ray Schreiner, who leads the breeding work they're famous for!</td></tr>
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There are many Iris growers across the country including the infamously young Kelly Norris who owns <a href="http://rainbowfarms.net/">Rainbow Iris Farm</a> in Iowa. He also wrote an excellent book that covers the wide spectrum of these types of Irises:<br />
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<a href="http://www.timberpress.com/books/guide_bearded_irises/norris/9781604692082"><img alt="http://www.timberpress.com/books/guide_bearded_irises/norris/9781604692082" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3xfjrZ72EtaUeL0yDjKPduaK0bVojTNghnn6pQuaUAIDfHc9lyjnNMAAdqpQ1XPcL4UrrnwzSCDUM7E5Kbtw8kyG0ZqcbgJzXtD4567uyQXmbUC2Filcqlr4lLqTRSiyIkDW6Xm9X3vV-/s1600/IRis.jpg" height="320" width="287" /></a></div>
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Also from the Willamette Valley, actually not far from the Schreiner's fields are my friends, Thomas Johnson, who along with his partner Kurt Hansen, run the wonderful <a href="http://www.sebrightgardens.com/">Sebright Gardens </a>specializing in Hostas and shade plants. But also, Thomas runs <a href="http://www.beardedirisflowers.com/">Mid-America Gardens</a> that feature many of his own Iris breeding work!!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsJlZH2MqxX95xCNsR8p-qIuvarJ58S7kJrCQo6JpQ_Nm52uqpa1kT00JrEE4cEotNHM9wObQWFyjRoI8sTXmrzrZg3dQelDJQykc6tIqxtBDNnply17p3zJrkXzEvKZlqWVZVpba9PR4M/s1600/DSC01411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsJlZH2MqxX95xCNsR8p-qIuvarJ58S7kJrCQo6JpQ_Nm52uqpa1kT00JrEE4cEotNHM9wObQWFyjRoI8sTXmrzrZg3dQelDJQykc6tIqxtBDNnply17p3zJrkXzEvKZlqWVZVpba9PR4M/s1600/DSC01411.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just passed peak, but the views from his fields are breathtaking especially at sunrise!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIPV-27FgNn7ciF1J2AEsRwukSSdGIYqSKMJd4dH2dkmlCAJ0JpyEhjSJUXDxfPJGt3iAn5NpMmb6_2cGXgUkGA5IiQ4hv1M30hcNKHx5EmbaB0FJyZvAxhjtNy21w9GFe_qrC7en8yTb3/s1600/DSC01433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIPV-27FgNn7ciF1J2AEsRwukSSdGIYqSKMJd4dH2dkmlCAJ0JpyEhjSJUXDxfPJGt3iAn5NpMmb6_2cGXgUkGA5IiQ4hv1M30hcNKHx5EmbaB0FJyZvAxhjtNy21w9GFe_qrC7en8yTb3/s1600/DSC01433.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still loads of dramatic color out in the field</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyyIvJdXPGF_5QC9_geL5eJa1lEaCQGjP0g3n3dT12Fxk1KS_5sq6jl8udFZtRPIO_3sy87w9oNXEYPfR2RFwfTKji_BwxEhTn7oe0F_K5b3JfZqP-RaRF6U11VfqBXPBCyaIOv4Us1JA5/s1600/DSC01436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyyIvJdXPGF_5QC9_geL5eJa1lEaCQGjP0g3n3dT12Fxk1KS_5sq6jl8udFZtRPIO_3sy87w9oNXEYPfR2RFwfTKji_BwxEhTn7oe0F_K5b3JfZqP-RaRF6U11VfqBXPBCyaIOv4Us1JA5/s1600/DSC01436.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stunning with the Willamette Valley view in the background. I could really live here!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiexbUyR2-l22HgC09ZL5_ku15ueDtewXfGz5BOzsfDdujYVr7vBJOq4W0zdahqQi9Xt11cHSpFRh3U_g2ALcLnry2fe88EuRi7Uev1_0AxLe7c2BIrSAxL8IjvspJZHwv1AzLSuDAIWTf/s1600/DSC01430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiexbUyR2-l22HgC09ZL5_ku15ueDtewXfGz5BOzsfDdujYVr7vBJOq4W0zdahqQi9Xt11cHSpFRh3U_g2ALcLnry2fe88EuRi7Uev1_0AxLe7c2BIrSAxL8IjvspJZHwv1AzLSuDAIWTf/s1600/DSC01430.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From breeder Paul Black, a fairly new introduction called 'Men are from Mars' =)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3j-QAekgSofOAZDOEl46W3NSo_iyKyQyXDbrLJcUfSh4F35v1hUXDN7jH3Y64UD73BqnK7poF5p1tHUSqI2sl4g0QQCZkM7jU7GpBC1xBOP7OZf2tHAXrbI7zXo6EdY2Urdx7nSH20Rw6/s1600/IMG_5282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3j-QAekgSofOAZDOEl46W3NSo_iyKyQyXDbrLJcUfSh4F35v1hUXDN7jH3Y64UD73BqnK7poF5p1tHUSqI2sl4g0QQCZkM7jU7GpBC1xBOP7OZf2tHAXrbI7zXo6EdY2Urdx7nSH20Rw6/s1600/IMG_5282.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was a treat to walk with Thomas in his fields and get a first hand lesson in the basics of bearded Iris breeding!</td></tr>
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Check out your local nursery or better yet, purchase direct from these sources and have these bountiful blooms in the widest range of colors possible gracing your gardens next spring and every spring after!!<br />
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Cheers,<br />
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R<br />
Riz Reyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07706238373661664859noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766492831605819934.post-75694128598566427672014-06-05T11:19:00.001-07:002014-06-05T11:19:51.987-07:00Bay Area Visit 2014: FLORA GRUBBIf there's a name that's stood out in the last few years in terms of innovative garden trends, Flora Grubb is probably on top my list.<br />
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A few years ago, I remember sitting down for lunch with a landscape architect friend who was starting up his own design-build business and told me about a vertical garden project he was working on utilizing succulents. Part of me sort of rolled my eyes as I began to see EVERYONE growing succulents and purchasing all these new (and expensive!) products like Wooly Pockets ( felt-like bags filled with soil and plants that can hang along a railing or placed up against a wall). The early plantings I saw in garden centers were very ugly as if people simply just shoved whatever plant they were told could grow in them.<br />
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Then I began to notice garden centers carrying more air plants (Tillandsias). Next to them were these glass orbs (some hanging on a fishing line) with a large hole in them and inside was a Tillandsia and a piece of moss or lichen and a few twigs. These were dubbed as "Aeriums" like "Terrarium", but without the "terra" or "earth" part of it. I thought they were kind of neat, but seemed to be somewhat of a temporary composition as air plants can be somewhat finicky in the home if they don't get enough warmth and humidity, but enclosing them in a terrarium-like glass vessel was suppose to just do the trick! <br />
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So, during our chat, we discussed our businesses and he introduced me to the name Flora Grubb as a model of success in our line of work and that in order to thrive as a landscape business, we had to really find a need in the market and really push for that ever illusive "niche". Being somewhat reluctant to follow any sort of trend while simply focusing on the work I had before me, the name just kept coming up as I chat with fellow gardeners and designers.<br />
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The name is actually the name of a very talented and innovative young woman who teamed up with a business partner, Saul Nadler, to first start a palm nursery and they decided to take her name and start a venture that would change the course of how people looked at plants in their lives.<br />
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So, there's a floral design component to this blog post as well. Susie Nadler, Saul's wife, runs the floral component of Flora Grubb and, once again, the clever and beautiful use of succulents and Tillandsia are evident and actually inspired my design work quite a bit.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMtrMkKF2_ipoW6bgj8_6G7HdIF8iJF_uuoXuPaIaDCLcY--p6l1nr71URy2FJODbhnxUEahsUnwvzAp14gvVbgkmz0rTAyQTmxYkKyxTYMEdHwYwR32sw3HzQBTmc3vTZp0LjMem3CTWj/s1600/With+Michelle+Karina+and+Molly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMtrMkKF2_ipoW6bgj8_6G7HdIF8iJF_uuoXuPaIaDCLcY--p6l1nr71URy2FJODbhnxUEahsUnwvzAp14gvVbgkmz0rTAyQTmxYkKyxTYMEdHwYwR32sw3HzQBTmc3vTZp0LjMem3CTWj/s1600/With+Michelle+Karina+and+Molly.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michelle's wedding featuring Tillandsias in a really sophisticated bouquet inspired by Susie's work!</td></tr>
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After all the hoopla and press I've heard about this business venture, I truly wanted to experience the phenomenon that is Flora Grubb for myself and MAYBE meet her in person to better understand the model she has created and, perhaps, discover elements of her business structure that attracts the next generation of gardeners.<br />
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Here are some highlights from my visit this past April:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioyTnxDUt5sWrJY0lTircdud8d-vMPr15Ca2Pkg66H0OeoHo0zt8JRftNk3wRtwmJc0eKHoa_SjB7yLas09p1DhAqopfEncsn2LyIbOUa_ASt-pDs6ugP82B_rw9o3ui6QiIValhCBrjKT/s1600/DSC00184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioyTnxDUt5sWrJY0lTircdud8d-vMPr15Ca2Pkg66H0OeoHo0zt8JRftNk3wRtwmJc0eKHoa_SjB7yLas09p1DhAqopfEncsn2LyIbOUa_ASt-pDs6ugP82B_rw9o3ui6QiIValhCBrjKT/s1600/DSC00184.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A popular destination in an industrial part of San Francisco, Flora Grubb provides an oasis for city dwellers to relax and take in a bit of nature</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDlogBNk7enQNNKYDe3u6pURewYWS8P1jdvxeeiJ-c3JXRMyd-uNMPNq8O7V0I-RkYvLipKkZr7x3Cbxp1U1_EKmZ4QcKmA00SGmFOoyUb07wpss6sz4TscbQfl3fNn99z6BG16G_kWDSN/s1600/DSC00201.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDlogBNk7enQNNKYDe3u6pURewYWS8P1jdvxeeiJ-c3JXRMyd-uNMPNq8O7V0I-RkYvLipKkZr7x3Cbxp1U1_EKmZ4QcKmA00SGmFOoyUb07wpss6sz4TscbQfl3fNn99z6BG16G_kWDSN/s1600/DSC00201.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ideas and inspiration can be found everywhere you turn</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguCCgE__t8jZ1pL1T1I_8uSGeaJHQagmH3bOkd_WJFloLmJzBYLlu3BTyx3TbjMkMjFz1jks0XEE_LIFiDPUrYztwAeSv0fbRsyj9fYB3NNQbRRerjbTWL0Lk7de_2Fj-3LOzUi1_Rn8Jf/s1600/DSC00203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguCCgE__t8jZ1pL1T1I_8uSGeaJHQagmH3bOkd_WJFloLmJzBYLlu3BTyx3TbjMkMjFz1jks0XEE_LIFiDPUrYztwAeSv0fbRsyj9fYB3NNQbRRerjbTWL0Lk7de_2Fj-3LOzUi1_Rn8Jf/s1600/DSC00203.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amazing what can be accomplished in such a small space. It feels huge!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYeOmNB_KFMyb6rY8NuPugSRXyUrPPZdFiHjnULiylo7MvYvudEU1Zr4ZI_Gd1VphWoxZrSBWAtS4UFvpN_Vl0uKQo-j5lJLDirENNX2ly7V2KPHMwi9B8oo_Pko7bTnxs1oINZdF80Tne/s1600/DSC00208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYeOmNB_KFMyb6rY8NuPugSRXyUrPPZdFiHjnULiylo7MvYvudEU1Zr4ZI_Gd1VphWoxZrSBWAtS4UFvpN_Vl0uKQo-j5lJLDirENNX2ly7V2KPHMwi9B8oo_Pko7bTnxs1oINZdF80Tne/s1600/DSC00208.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rotating displays of plants and containers keep things looking fresh and the wide paths invite you to explore</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6AA1c9kvck056y0kSh3wRaE6kEkIBDfoDGHEVFHD_tBpzdcRpzmBJNDUHLaYUGCSnW0_5Mt2yEAlgO5RpfnbT-gE-50BI3SESbcs9Fd7XPv8dN76oAEOG_1jFXkw3Vz62DAbPL1oYbzgU/s1600/DSC00258.JPG" height="320" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="213" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">F L O R A spelled out in succulents!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsQ5om6A5Pnr9ofkTi4THL5x78h48dYyR4WtpYrcgWu4Ob0uoydSKtFMc4VTsMI0mtmJTPJdW6tcaxIT7wObpkknub9QlLOKBh549LGecnn9rPHLU8gbJijJ5Xipy32vMPzTQuM39geEjh/s1600/DSC00216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsQ5om6A5Pnr9ofkTi4THL5x78h48dYyR4WtpYrcgWu4Ob0uoydSKtFMc4VTsMI0mtmJTPJdW6tcaxIT7wObpkknub9QlLOKBh549LGecnn9rPHLU8gbJijJ5Xipy32vMPzTQuM39geEjh/s1600/DSC00216.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Rustic chic" with a living centerpiece....</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWH1nNPCrG7xbrlJA-P5aCDesWIgkd00t08T_I2EJqUHVqyqwrrixRWDd0PdCLlg7X-xEOObf3kSib5EC4KEaYF6eSWGvJmPo8JHM8mY8Uih4xB_mV4tSFmBEsxIa6aEfUNS_QXeeTpqi4/s1600/DSC00219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWH1nNPCrG7xbrlJA-P5aCDesWIgkd00t08T_I2EJqUHVqyqwrrixRWDd0PdCLlg7X-xEOObf3kSib5EC4KEaYF6eSWGvJmPo8JHM8mY8Uih4xB_mV4tSFmBEsxIa6aEfUNS_QXeeTpqi4/s1600/DSC00219.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...of succulents!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF2njZfG0fcvDmGSvp5fnuhS8EMsgCXZCTSPf1aRoRuYVv92LR_jDvNqoHBeQ3osDjE4D7Yyl9KvGSjR6OTtv4rfGaN4OjSDj4f8Dt_vyJyDm49xii-eqcsK0bQcBeAt3kvNAPcJUiUeyy/s1600/DSC00237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF2njZfG0fcvDmGSvp5fnuhS8EMsgCXZCTSPf1aRoRuYVv92LR_jDvNqoHBeQ3osDjE4D7Yyl9KvGSjR6OTtv4rfGaN4OjSDj4f8Dt_vyJyDm49xii-eqcsK0bQcBeAt3kvNAPcJUiUeyy/s1600/DSC00237.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A colorful and modern sitting area</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIpcaqEqBNY3H2h5YW3TGSUZ62OvS5YW_H88QOMuZgJNtb6Mkk9eQ5drvtv0X9VAtw51AQoGUZo1WLdB7jZpS0mOGI8gRXCrWBFA-3qt6mBxQzKVMtXzIZrk7f_9zUz8WHiUEZPzXE8fXE/s1600/DSC00240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIpcaqEqBNY3H2h5YW3TGSUZ62OvS5YW_H88QOMuZgJNtb6Mkk9eQ5drvtv0X9VAtw51AQoGUZo1WLdB7jZpS0mOGI8gRXCrWBFA-3qt6mBxQzKVMtXzIZrk7f_9zUz8WHiUEZPzXE8fXE/s1600/DSC00240.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...with the best succulent wall I've ever seen!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsmgXfyIyNYkGu8SQbK32x8g7HhaxT3n5Os-0C0mPS-EAoKrGNHz9c5zTXKT1-I0byIWH9gcLviUU-yXPpNUPe2QyseTc7T3W6pKxTMr7oRdJ7oln_CshkALMVdyyHpSBu1iFrrnNozpRM/s1600/DSC00244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsmgXfyIyNYkGu8SQbK32x8g7HhaxT3n5Os-0C0mPS-EAoKrGNHz9c5zTXKT1-I0byIWH9gcLviUU-yXPpNUPe2QyseTc7T3W6pKxTMr7oRdJ7oln_CshkALMVdyyHpSBu1iFrrnNozpRM/s1600/DSC00244.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flora Grubb has DIY benches for customers to pot up containers and create aeriums! Love this idea!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8x73Kl483yUuJZSJuKs4P-Lf00FeAu_-FBESrbN7jMgDLMCkUe8vz5sw64U5p4ymmsDvpZhOcSxteGHmcg0HolUxpmOvh-OvpPKpVOeL7wvDhXSvEnTSxF7COoLY5SUI2iBPshNRUy7K-/s1600/DSC00266.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8x73Kl483yUuJZSJuKs4P-Lf00FeAu_-FBESrbN7jMgDLMCkUe8vz5sw64U5p4ymmsDvpZhOcSxteGHmcg0HolUxpmOvh-OvpPKpVOeL7wvDhXSvEnTSxF7COoLY5SUI2iBPshNRUy7K-/s1600/DSC00266.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The wonderful Tillandsia selection. I had a chance to meet <a href="http://www.timberpress.com/books/air_plants/sengo/9781604694895">Zenaida Sengo</a> who works for FG and also has a book coming up on air plants! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO1x0q_b2-CMsJeXwSt26wwK1QnupTGa5O6VX2Z6R1aFu46PcLMMEvUckkjK-BHzaFJnC2rjbdSmXpKKN2X3CWrHPrLMLeV_eX7WAeVqCyVQhKBSg62kr6TNSfL4uh7GQlo6N1aeaHrVfb/s1600/DSC00287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO1x0q_b2-CMsJeXwSt26wwK1QnupTGa5O6VX2Z6R1aFu46PcLMMEvUckkjK-BHzaFJnC2rjbdSmXpKKN2X3CWrHPrLMLeV_eX7WAeVqCyVQhKBSg62kr6TNSfL4uh7GQlo6N1aeaHrVfb/s1600/DSC00287.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Tillandsia concolor</i> looking stunning up against a purple panel!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzD7X41i6pW8QS0-F6USlRT9BqLwyJTVNw5xNtyGhCq_NtXFKo0idVS3YOYs_TUGKSiYixVauoJ8ucJ7S78J9E1E-bgCTf8ABDWkjqMuHovOM-SS9f73mrRE73sLOA_F0Tb0Rkdyc0vrBW/s1600/DSC00302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzD7X41i6pW8QS0-F6USlRT9BqLwyJTVNw5xNtyGhCq_NtXFKo0idVS3YOYs_TUGKSiYixVauoJ8ucJ7S78J9E1E-bgCTf8ABDWkjqMuHovOM-SS9f73mrRE73sLOA_F0Tb0Rkdyc0vrBW/s1600/DSC00302.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FG has everything an urban gardener needs! Even old bicycles for floating!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXu5Bhdeza9l1Gn-sj3fRf38JGpfPeuDL1eXW0X27OgP44er72TwD3e_P7UVp7B3AsXMyM_OcaEmKoIlyYlVXJYNcnVWOx-_VXrkfSxfeWvmxkVE5C6TJSmdyamnafZNq6tLSB6WXdM_wc/s1600/DSC00270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXu5Bhdeza9l1Gn-sj3fRf38JGpfPeuDL1eXW0X27OgP44er72TwD3e_P7UVp7B3AsXMyM_OcaEmKoIlyYlVXJYNcnVWOx-_VXrkfSxfeWvmxkVE5C6TJSmdyamnafZNq6tLSB6WXdM_wc/s1600/DSC00270.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now this is how you plant up those Wooly Pockets! Make it look like it's been growing there forever!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheQPSlr0ATlAC1y9_1kBho45SrarkHu37f-hg6LNHbwqtv9EPSxJvT-ckylMOxdaCCikPaWmiBsfvk-oy4IReEubC9lanxoDZ51sKfFpYbCIx442cdc3vBKOsArUAhiaVf30MmoSkrGfrc/s1600/DSC00296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheQPSlr0ATlAC1y9_1kBho45SrarkHu37f-hg6LNHbwqtv9EPSxJvT-ckylMOxdaCCikPaWmiBsfvk-oy4IReEubC9lanxoDZ51sKfFpYbCIx442cdc3vBKOsArUAhiaVf30MmoSkrGfrc/s1600/DSC00296.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's not all just succulents and air plants. Perennials, trees and shrubs and edibles can be found! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5z4Eaq_GRDNQ1bInI-COnGN2Hgy4uDNBq4wNo5_1v3_Qocuw_ydd_qiV1-9eYNPT_PfJ3AZZgqO2rlfwfUk0zW1QbVKNjU_Xea-zu2dR5wKr_VvL81xZp3taanro4ZifIiNSoKM5TnsNO/s1600/DSC00298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5z4Eaq_GRDNQ1bInI-COnGN2Hgy4uDNBq4wNo5_1v3_Qocuw_ydd_qiV1-9eYNPT_PfJ3AZZgqO2rlfwfUk0zW1QbVKNjU_Xea-zu2dR5wKr_VvL81xZp3taanro4ZifIiNSoKM5TnsNO/s1600/DSC00298.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://potinc.ca/">Todd Holloway of Pot Inc.</a> in Vancouver, BC introduced these hover dishes this year and are perfect for succulents</td></tr>
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Overall impression of the place? Pretty cool!<br />
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I think Flora Grubb satisfies a pretty broad customer base that's really geared to be simple, sophisticated, creative and most importantly, accessible. I often am critical of small "Boutiquey" shops that have very high mark-ups claiming a "work of art" for something so simple and straightforward, but that's coming from a experienced plant-person point of view who's also a tightwad when it comes to things that are considered "luxury items". I was a bit sticker-shocked at some of the prices on materials that were simply "sanded down twigs for $25), but that's retail for you; they understand that there are those who are more than willing to pay for such items.<br />
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The space and layout is the best part of Flora Grubb. Wonderful plants all around, but there are distinct garden rooms and places to sit and really be immersed in the vegetated space. <br />
<br />Knowing Flora is probably near impossible to track down for a chat given the celebrity status a lot of us have given her, I got in touch with their PR and also palm specialist (AGAIN, WITH A BOOK IN THE WORKS ON THE TOPIC!), Jason Dewees, who kindly set up a short meet and greet and took this picture!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZEvIZluz4-heeXzJWgeaPRqIezflgPrLb0lmKo4xbIRHuABUJp--JpqnfixV9YS9gJvvP5uZRD_unu1oNGFMrzoVi4YmYO85x33m0ZAbGEPdyBht6ZhKby7LskTYXbTUhb-po1PKqTchN/s1600/IMG_4901.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZEvIZluz4-heeXzJWgeaPRqIezflgPrLb0lmKo4xbIRHuABUJp--JpqnfixV9YS9gJvvP5uZRD_unu1oNGFMrzoVi4YmYO85x33m0ZAbGEPdyBht6ZhKby7LskTYXbTUhb-po1PKqTchN/s1600/IMG_4901.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a> </div>
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Being on a tight schedule, I was bummed not to get a sit-down interview with her to ask about her design aesthetic, business model and what she foresees as the future of gardening, but I sort of let that go. Part of me felt like she's been asked this a million times and I didn't come prepared with more interesting insights and inquiries. She also didn't have much time so, I thought, I just need the experience of just being there, making my own observations and this meet and green was just an icing on the cake! <br />
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Then I began to wonder if a model like Flora's could exist here in Seattle. It sort of does, in a way, with a few businesses deriving elements of her set up and offering products similar to hers, but one has to consider location and also the CLIMATE! They're blessed with a true Mediterranean climate so the plant palette is quite different, but the overall goals are the same: make plants and gardening accessible at many different levels and offer a space for refuge, relaxation and ongoing inspiration. Also a place where visitors can be engaged by being able to create for themselves instills confidence in growing! I loved that aspect of Flora Grubb.<br />
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What was also impressive was the number of staff on hand tending the plants and helping customers. Flora has hired experts with specialties, like Jason and Zenaida, to be on hand and not only do they have their fortes, they are also multi-talented individuals with a broad range of stills they bring to the table! That was mighty impressive because even the uber plant geeks like myself can feel engaged at Flora Grubb! <br />
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I hope to return in the near future to see how things are evolving and see what new and inspired ideas emerge because I'm certain it will be executed beautifully!<br />
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<br />Riz Reyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07706238373661664859noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766492831605819934.post-54015990232746125222014-05-25T01:19:00.005-07:002014-05-25T01:19:57.036-07:00Bay Area Visit 2014: San Francisco Wholesale Flower MartWhat's becoming almost an annual trip down to the Bay Area to visit friends, family, nurseries, and gardens, I had three destinations in mind for my extended weekend down in the Bay Area of California. One of my first stops was one of the country's largest flower markets!<br />
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"If you're going to San Francisco, be sure to wear some flowers in your
hair".... well, then you have to hit up the famous SF Wholesale Flower
Mart on Brannan Street. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvvnKw7akPda5u0E4SsNb4TI16nr1vg6VReTF-fWc2AXLXlUSFqH_734Aj2QcL_BkgKoU034OneDTUrtSvoKRprI1LArG236Qs-CsFfCyAV_S3-5bQ9FbUPBloMpQNLDg5dPOFkIYE9Zge/s1600/DSC00168.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvvnKw7akPda5u0E4SsNb4TI16nr1vg6VReTF-fWc2AXLXlUSFqH_734Aj2QcL_BkgKoU034OneDTUrtSvoKRprI1LArG236Qs-CsFfCyAV_S3-5bQ9FbUPBloMpQNLDg5dPOFkIYE9Zge/s1600/DSC00168.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a>Composed of a MASSIVE warehouse where 60+ vendors pack the large facility with cut blooms, potted plants, branches, and other natural materials, the SFWFM also includes "stores" lined up one by one selling specialty products such as orchids, potted tropicals, floral supplies and other hard goods. It's the nucleus of the Bay Area's floral industry and you can basically get everything you need to run your flower business. <br />
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It was a little intimidating to go as I was renting a car for the very first time so driving into the big city was a little nerve-wracking (thank goodness for iPhone Maps) and I was also testing out my new digital camera and entering a place that can be very fast paced and I was actually worried about vendors harping on me for being a disturbance. Perhaps I could have contacted someone and inquired about visiting and taking photos, but they did have public shopping hours so I thought I'd just go and ask the individual vendors if I could take photographs and all seem to say "yes" (although I did see a sign that said "no photography please", but no one said anything and I was pretty much finished taking photos when I saw it. OOPS.<br />
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This place was quite large and pretty exciting to see the product being offered.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilk_dosmK6gB7mDlus0U9FKOPaebUAiSPrcGssgpoUM0k_tn9UTWrmsPvr_RL30_rS7gLEG51GKdZ30ibnYFThSytWKczyWZyMT3JPh_3yLDXLv1ty9iz18pR7aUVe3Dtw6qCNt9s-j1Yq/s1600/DSC00177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilk_dosmK6gB7mDlus0U9FKOPaebUAiSPrcGssgpoUM0k_tn9UTWrmsPvr_RL30_rS7gLEG51GKdZ30ibnYFThSytWKczyWZyMT3JPh_3yLDXLv1ty9iz18pR7aUVe3Dtw6qCNt9s-j1Yq/s1600/DSC00177.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These manzanita branches were to die for!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGHrXRDPHn1N-1HBQUbW0qDhnJDXr6YBzh56OjAcdt0Z0mmAuZcfnnPDwMdO8Kv1FmVyEvX0fvWGVT6G2tMrYcUshCD1WkIbFIfSuujBFwg7U8RPTG9zQX37-54Ys9n7Ybyfnn4cf36jMp/s1600/DSC00722.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGHrXRDPHn1N-1HBQUbW0qDhnJDXr6YBzh56OjAcdt0Z0mmAuZcfnnPDwMdO8Kv1FmVyEvX0fvWGVT6G2tMrYcUshCD1WkIbFIfSuujBFwg7U8RPTG9zQX37-54Ys9n7Ybyfnn4cf36jMp/s1600/DSC00722.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">California grown!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmiztx-M8JO94y2kwOgg4ff6CSHrj9wbFEAOCUnAou_AmCT30xP2rBtX4Iw10Awdp4g8n5D7x2mBdMmC16nSRog5xHDaaJRxSmad6Ep36SF_M19sfcwOplFEUzosMpAgIKQB8pY8sPAY1J/s1600/DSC00733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmiztx-M8JO94y2kwOgg4ff6CSHrj9wbFEAOCUnAou_AmCT30xP2rBtX4Iw10Awdp4g8n5D7x2mBdMmC16nSRog5xHDaaJRxSmad6Ep36SF_M19sfcwOplFEUzosMpAgIKQB8pY8sPAY1J/s1600/DSC00733.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A baker's multiple dozens of already cut succulents!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMprmAVVKA5MUDU3ryqFjgbx_no6QJpclFN8bH8ZI5_45nWZGQAAIBrgYQMe7WbRW1EWsicsE9l_tcDKCZI4wuCJtMQiZIP44JKyiOTYggjqHZot_dZsbWdGkxIEmQMnSSwquzxQXidC6k/s1600/DSC00732.JPG" height="400" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="266" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiGQdb_2nrDNdyRglaOe-1NEfQAjjTzKUhXj50lhz3B9aelcga2FZPAEdAq_z5tsGocrut1S7qSbCjIAw0Q8XM39eBtbC_MV05TG1yCe9RQL_BrBayy1QBIvwU-MSiR0n-CGh1kieSphsM/s1600/DSC00744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiGQdb_2nrDNdyRglaOe-1NEfQAjjTzKUhXj50lhz3B9aelcga2FZPAEdAq_z5tsGocrut1S7qSbCjIAw0Q8XM39eBtbC_MV05TG1yCe9RQL_BrBayy1QBIvwU-MSiR0n-CGh1kieSphsM/s1600/DSC00744.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An assortment of Bromeliads sold here for floral work!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2YWy4eGczNqnfwBg0VaCBFHpzl8GV12CvR1fhgA7uuOdtYAwNeuqE1VPz2L2GhtQbaeLCh_O7-7LvlUiC0G1gQZyIxkhUDeUyeIZh-nySIeFY43OAQLgakmMkHs2YBE0oUQbFQTsz7vju/s1600/DSC00748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2YWy4eGczNqnfwBg0VaCBFHpzl8GV12CvR1fhgA7uuOdtYAwNeuqE1VPz2L2GhtQbaeLCh_O7-7LvlUiC0G1gQZyIxkhUDeUyeIZh-nySIeFY43OAQLgakmMkHs2YBE0oUQbFQTsz7vju/s1600/DSC00748.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favorite <i>Tillandsia xerographica</i></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJEb8k5r9f39LeN-p3rCn6EZP1h8dribNWJc2yX07M7Pw0x_qKV_U75gh4bkBPGY1y9EDuTGGlTnqZjT2spx4dwYreG_9ClR11HqMTJdMv38Qxvl8JeFBl6UznqWeMbGkvweI8FfEh03z0/s1600/DSC00756.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJEb8k5r9f39LeN-p3rCn6EZP1h8dribNWJc2yX07M7Pw0x_qKV_U75gh4bkBPGY1y9EDuTGGlTnqZjT2spx4dwYreG_9ClR11HqMTJdMv38Qxvl8JeFBl6UznqWeMbGkvweI8FfEh03z0/s1600/DSC00756.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfEy6kBrdgUpU6N86abUiz4hQQYb8hLH20m31fO-xz_elJGcNcZ_WdmGxoxVuzkBQK1tBq-34bzv5nbj2o1BzRDV1sNC_ep_omoGukORmc3NDa945RT5pFo7RtP7HYNeah6-PSSaFVQee4/s1600/DSC00140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfEy6kBrdgUpU6N86abUiz4hQQYb8hLH20m31fO-xz_elJGcNcZ_WdmGxoxVuzkBQK1tBq-34bzv5nbj2o1BzRDV1sNC_ep_omoGukORmc3NDa945RT5pFo7RtP7HYNeah6-PSSaFVQee4/s1600/DSC00140.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Puffy hydrangeas including some unusual peachy types!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4lDrlKRu3nDoiI5X_6LQS7jDVA4R-EC-EDXG_Uu1al70RkaeXAcjIsVhOJYzIq7ETkBugNrUvE1IOd6suh573GYBFv2L0e0-RXXo5ICkxuRwwHlDkqgMRW0X16ZdGkb21XB9OraseSEfa/s1600/DSC00141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4lDrlKRu3nDoiI5X_6LQS7jDVA4R-EC-EDXG_Uu1al70RkaeXAcjIsVhOJYzIq7ETkBugNrUvE1IOd6suh573GYBFv2L0e0-RXXo5ICkxuRwwHlDkqgMRW0X16ZdGkb21XB9OraseSEfa/s1600/DSC00141.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A close-up of these soft peach Hydrangeas that were probably dyed. =(</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFULjsAjbovgXFN3VDCXAkLCyWDTxQUOs1uXLxRuhHIGWJRINb4EpxdW3lik2NuqsYSyovhg5d3oncBtwPI0d-VV1l3JFMueWHPuN-OJnnpvROSHLbdVeGPoBUsdF0nYeLO3UO-W_aQA21/s1600/DSC00156.JPG" height="400" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="266" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A most interesting manipulation of <i>Phalaenopsis</i> orchid spikes shaped into a heart</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf0E4wQjoQArTHadPTuapefgJ2xfvZRh2mhdE_ftyMj7IGPstpoOEgLe3Z3TywqpxpKU3MdERW1MoT7N3Xv7-72n5VngPSDC5TWjIx0XFXzBHwFG_yg2U7w9jatahO7KU02bWsEfdy__Vp/s1600/DSC00717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf0E4wQjoQArTHadPTuapefgJ2xfvZRh2mhdE_ftyMj7IGPstpoOEgLe3Z3TywqpxpKU3MdERW1MoT7N3Xv7-72n5VngPSDC5TWjIx0XFXzBHwFG_yg2U7w9jatahO7KU02bWsEfdy__Vp/s1600/DSC00717.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fresh old-fashioned garden roses!!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHZTSsjeX6XU0nz7CZwt7A-Vj0lgsrYRE7kU-IOeKm37jzJ3aJaoCQWfAd-K0Fyb5QfJonz9Pqeeor1YKunyw1wJLl39ZA0vbtAEKt1kr8Sf0mOREc_OeX7Cctyz3Ri45Pq3yokG2AsDQJ/s1600/DSC00736.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHZTSsjeX6XU0nz7CZwt7A-Vj0lgsrYRE7kU-IOeKm37jzJ3aJaoCQWfAd-K0Fyb5QfJonz9Pqeeor1YKunyw1wJLl39ZA0vbtAEKt1kr8Sf0mOREc_OeX7Cctyz3Ri45Pq3yokG2AsDQJ/s1600/DSC00736.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a> Another interesting observation was a business that I've heard a lot about in various publications. "<a href="http://farmgirlflowers.com/">Farmgirl Flowers</a>" is tucked into a vendor stall within the SFWFM and boy is business thriving for them. What surprised me most were the multiple employees. Two long tables up front are flanked with Macs with 5-6 people at a table probably taking orders and in the background you can see all of their supplies and the arrangements being assembled. They supply locally sourced flowers throughout the city and often do special events.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmYuTWdyRp8e5Xmh1Wu7y5Op9gCsZkVQ6ootd2gmJ9Y6eBImmnu7-QvaeMLuM_BIN6UeSWiQpMbxGf19_fMtF7LqCna0g4dzZ0vKi5kjOdW-NR_UbY7fScW7zIn0OmnIUzwWnFKQCqZiPG/s1600/DSC00735.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmYuTWdyRp8e5Xmh1Wu7y5Op9gCsZkVQ6ootd2gmJ9Y6eBImmnu7-QvaeMLuM_BIN6UeSWiQpMbxGf19_fMtF7LqCna0g4dzZ0vKi5kjOdW-NR_UbY7fScW7zIn0OmnIUzwWnFKQCqZiPG/s1600/DSC00735.JPG" height="266" width="400" /> </a></div>
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Their wedding inquiries are sent over to my next stop in San Francisco: the infamous FLORA GRUBB.<br />
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For more information about the market, <a href="http://sfflowermart.com/index.html">visit their website </a>(which could use a reformat and update):<br />
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<br />
R <br />
<br />Riz Reyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07706238373661664859noreply@blogger.com60tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766492831605819934.post-8241053869806220012014-05-19T17:28:00.002-07:002014-05-19T17:28:49.395-07:00Buying less plants, but making new friends: Hortlandia 2014 <div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiDwTvgkID4L6fYkUbQ0fcL1Q5lQF91sy8rKlYx0KydmdVf_ayFS0zCRdZ_jaxI41UGkEj9REZTBfIGPt_2H3wsctVNDL3NwrB-VC3WYaAt7Ho0Lw4d3a8Fq2hOGqSivoMQNmeIM0NiGO6/s1600/IMG_4605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiDwTvgkID4L6fYkUbQ0fcL1Q5lQF91sy8rKlYx0KydmdVf_ayFS0zCRdZ_jaxI41UGkEj9REZTBfIGPt_2H3wsctVNDL3NwrB-VC3WYaAt7Ho0Lw4d3a8Fq2hOGqSivoMQNmeIM0NiGO6/s1600/IMG_4605.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
I'm so very behind with NGG, but I'm gonna attempt to catch you all up anyway!
I've blogged about this plant sale before as I've considered it the very best of our region because of the wonderful selection of rare and unusual oddities, but it's also made special due to the wonderful people and friends that I've met over the years that make the long three-hour drive (I hate driving long distances) so definitely worth it.<br />
<br />
So let me take you back to April when I made my annual spring drive down
to Portland, OR to hang out with planty friends and attend the Hardy
Plant Society of Oregon's plant sale dubbed, "HORTLANDIA"! <br />
<br />
The really big difference this season is I'm not able to splurge and
purchase plants like I used to. It Without my own personal garden
anymore, I've really had to show restraint and avoid buying plants that
won't have an immediate home. So mostly, I aimed to shop for clients.<br />
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The crowd this plant sale generates is incredible!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzJVfZ5tFV0x2W8qyuERGEN-Yfy5ZxER5oXnkauTszV1UV0ZuSRkUzOR91FMSEy4z7Eh4GPk9VwbpiX59s2QB5muPkyWkhpGxQ287YlwSpQCPYkSm9ZiaY67Q9_Nj65TXzIGaqQ6U7nYQe/s1600/IMG_4583.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzJVfZ5tFV0x2W8qyuERGEN-Yfy5ZxER5oXnkauTszV1UV0ZuSRkUzOR91FMSEy4z7Eh4GPk9VwbpiX59s2QB5muPkyWkhpGxQ287YlwSpQCPYkSm9ZiaY67Q9_Nj65TXzIGaqQ6U7nYQe/s1600/IMG_4583.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moments before customers flood the floors of the Portland Expo Center</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEispVmsD9OPBuDpibPytuAlhBOQ2BwsZtDYQ3EpxKAssTBFIL8md4x0lwCyLo-pAZQx-twvuNcWyaw1bsxz3BSJez6BbQ_3enLfLV-YsCZqJfkKahDpz3Ymi8jTWurwfPiOa1sB9D3XVajV/s1600/IMG_4608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEispVmsD9OPBuDpibPytuAlhBOQ2BwsZtDYQ3EpxKAssTBFIL8md4x0lwCyLo-pAZQx-twvuNcWyaw1bsxz3BSJez6BbQ_3enLfLV-YsCZqJfkKahDpz3Ymi8jTWurwfPiOa1sB9D3XVajV/s1600/IMG_4608.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "FLOOD" Hmmm...you can see floor...must either be lunch time or it's the second day of the sale, which is traditionally slower.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzJVfZ5tFV0x2W8qyuERGEN-Yfy5ZxER5oXnkauTszV1UV0ZuSRkUzOR91FMSEy4z7Eh4GPk9VwbpiX59s2QB5muPkyWkhpGxQ287YlwSpQCPYkSm9ZiaY67Q9_Nj65TXzIGaqQ6U7nYQe/s1600/IMG_4583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkW7RQj1U8kMq59n_brmA8FYzSfcjt7cnOwCX70AeH3e8RxoiW-8RnGNfdxVJHLh5kyyR5nHIeDET7B3d1vfVSiCioERDkvN6pb4xd1ZTBE_1GwtolPbOmFE1fgSsTRhtNA_a1qjrHytXx/s1600/IMG_4564.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkW7RQj1U8kMq59n_brmA8FYzSfcjt7cnOwCX70AeH3e8RxoiW-8RnGNfdxVJHLh5kyyR5nHIeDET7B3d1vfVSiCioERDkvN6pb4xd1ZTBE_1GwtolPbOmFE1fgSsTRhtNA_a1qjrHytXx/s1600/IMG_4564.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The guys from Sebright Gardens have the best shelving/delivery system for their plants!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoTUpkSAUF7kbZi0i9VnUIJi4nuMUg88wVJI7nAWKl6f1NnXa-6X0g2EahripFxgk9U3LUiCIKK9H1Z4WkvXIa0QsYWyyloL8-fk36p8iv_Dr5po-5bAGTX2usaX5A5v6vnzxcb7UK6lqC/s1600/IMG_4592.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoTUpkSAUF7kbZi0i9VnUIJi4nuMUg88wVJI7nAWKl6f1NnXa-6X0g2EahripFxgk9U3LUiCIKK9H1Z4WkvXIa0QsYWyyloL8-fk36p8iv_Dr5po-5bAGTX2usaX5A5v6vnzxcb7UK6lqC/s1600/IMG_4592.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And here's their gorgeous display of Hostas, ferns, Epimediums and other shade loving plants from Salem, OR. Kirk and Thomas are two of the nicest guys with some pretty extraordinary plants. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAJnZfIdJSHciwz79PTX7aI8mafl307jHNY_eXAS_wuGWk5eFflA1SWxb5SmnMqmuqvvplU0iG7MpS84Gn5W8Qu-BLte5Kdg_5I8FT1TWFf3oFpFdCQwb6QKS_nMUI7ksfHlVY1QgD5ZU6/s1600/IMG_4598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAJnZfIdJSHciwz79PTX7aI8mafl307jHNY_eXAS_wuGWk5eFflA1SWxb5SmnMqmuqvvplU0iG7MpS84Gn5W8Qu-BLte5Kdg_5I8FT1TWFf3oFpFdCQwb6QKS_nMUI7ksfHlVY1QgD5ZU6/s1600/IMG_4598.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm always excited to help out at the Cistus booth with all their incredible selections of plants for everyone!</td></tr>
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Prior to the sale, however, I was able to meet up with some plant friends and fellow garden bloggers. Scott Weber of Rhone Street Gardens and Loree Bohl of Danger Gardens joined by other local Portlanders and a few friends from Washington also made it down!<br />
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We hit up Xera Plants retail space in Portland where we held the EMERGENT get-together last summer. Then a nursery none of us have ventured to: Secret Garden Growers in Canby, OR. A lovely specialty nursery with a great selection of choice perennial plants.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg52JgHRItrcL7mJ_C6e4LmTMFsf59M6vwRx0xmA6kg1OBnwaM0zrEaV7nd_nLGJq9ajrLRqX4yYWZRrKrCyPe31eymdzMUWFRZkeX550fZxuRTXidsrl9GOR_zwZhrUX44lOxjgohLdn6b/s1600/IMG_3959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg52JgHRItrcL7mJ_C6e4LmTMFsf59M6vwRx0xmA6kg1OBnwaM0zrEaV7nd_nLGJq9ajrLRqX4yYWZRrKrCyPe31eymdzMUWFRZkeX550fZxuRTXidsrl9GOR_zwZhrUX44lOxjgohLdn6b/s1600/IMG_3959.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loree and avid gardener Ryan Miller chat's with Greg at Xera Plants</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZKhUCR9-chwRJq6iIPASWRAYt3Cx9LAzxXiPiTXnJuCxXJgk1OxDA3JhcSeQcRWOKnHlvnnpRikjkQsmnSIk9SmzdpcH1CcoUPmG_SepN1_A8EFztEt6ucDkrKCmWY0-KDpuwQak274-b/s1600/IMG_3977.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZKhUCR9-chwRJq6iIPASWRAYt3Cx9LAzxXiPiTXnJuCxXJgk1OxDA3JhcSeQcRWOKnHlvnnpRikjkQsmnSIk9SmzdpcH1CcoUPmG_SepN1_A8EFztEt6ucDkrKCmWY0-KDpuwQak274-b/s1600/IMG_3977.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Perusing the plants at Secret Garden Growers in Canby, OR</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6_DPRMfVIiNqeUC11ValW3Qj0hsTdfWOoVEgp6czFAvfVUZt_nKpSD3awI7XJ3CuM5k8ToH3Ljgt8v9G00avy5BlfCvdJHv9NfVoKHunxPo2uSd0G61jApyje4QuLZprSi_Ao-VtKlbse/s1600/IMG_3976.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6_DPRMfVIiNqeUC11ValW3Qj0hsTdfWOoVEgp6czFAvfVUZt_nKpSD3awI7XJ3CuM5k8ToH3Ljgt8v9G00avy5BlfCvdJHv9NfVoKHunxPo2uSd0G61jApyje4QuLZprSi_Ao-VtKlbse/s1600/IMG_3976.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A sweet little Columbine I couldn't resist at SGG: Aquilegia viridiflora 'Chocolate Soldier'. What's so special about this tiny flower with a muddy color? IT'S FRAGRANT!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhceoWuRnOviIhR_F2iadhEqWM4T-qWjafNVY6er8tnnVpVhZPclMvVr0aC-_ZMeL6IvWZU1e6tPXfrv8_T7s5MrMCZaFxQL5da1uw2YpoyaY2BdjkmHIqfV0CuAY27yPRvgmQcklxxla8C/s1600/IMG_3983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhceoWuRnOviIhR_F2iadhEqWM4T-qWjafNVY6er8tnnVpVhZPclMvVr0aC-_ZMeL6IvWZU1e6tPXfrv8_T7s5MrMCZaFxQL5da1uw2YpoyaY2BdjkmHIqfV0CuAY27yPRvgmQcklxxla8C/s1600/IMG_3983.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Discussing our finds and what we should have for lunch! lol</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdmV8g3RA6XdAj2Bn9sB8Bus5RFYLxuBDZHbyOoYsP8brR_aGNpVXXWHntbjSKy3qh6k7zN55Izm8la07bv1PkO4C2I5WT5Mj2oX_FKpPKm6cZ2yDNXw5ezOtxwlkkx-vj1DlL6aUIpStx/s1600/IMG_3996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdmV8g3RA6XdAj2Bn9sB8Bus5RFYLxuBDZHbyOoYsP8brR_aGNpVXXWHntbjSKy3qh6k7zN55Izm8la07bv1PkO4C2I5WT5Mj2oX_FKpPKm6cZ2yDNXw5ezOtxwlkkx-vj1DlL6aUIpStx/s1600/IMG_3996.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loree found her plant of the day and she made sure no goat was gonna get a nibble!!!</td></tr>
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This gang of Portland gardeners are a wonderful bunch and I feel honored to have gotten to know them. We all crossed paths at the plant sale to add to our acquisitions for the weekend where I came away with just a few things. I'm glad I found a few larger plants for a client! <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz-1hCY6-Jp36KK7Ax8hwWNK7XqQWqx2RqQ-xaPfEnlgVbChYvLu-QLlAoRBeUrwHNUQNDE9C28nvYS5cPdPEAjFF6eE2Iv17di1fFRnX2DVYa4TNMVDLDYt84WP4vPlE72or93mv1iG3v/s1600/IMG_4010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz-1hCY6-Jp36KK7Ax8hwWNK7XqQWqx2RqQ-xaPfEnlgVbChYvLu-QLlAoRBeUrwHNUQNDE9C28nvYS5cPdPEAjFF6eE2Iv17di1fFRnX2DVYa4TNMVDLDYt84WP4vPlE72or93mv1iG3v/s1600/IMG_4010.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And a trip to PDX isn't complete without a visit to Cistus Design in Sauvie Island.</td></tr>
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R<br />
<br />Riz Reyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07706238373661664859noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766492831605819934.post-48029987633902624722014-04-17T16:16:00.000-07:002014-04-17T16:16:18.151-07:00The Next Crop of Organic Gardening's "New Generation"This has been out for awhile, but I wanted to give a shout out to the next crop of "Next Generation Gardeners" profiled in Organic Gardening magazine by garden writer, Ken Druse.<br />
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Ken said the response to last year's article drew great interest and momentum in that OG wanted to continue the series with this new crop of young, avid gardeners (two of which I've had the pleasure of meeting in person!)<br />
<a href="http://www.organicgardening.com/living/next-generation"><br /></a>
<a href="http://www.organicgardening.com/living/next-generation">Check out the article here on this link!</a><br />
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My congrats and all the best to all of them.<br />
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I hope this exposure provides them with great opportunities ahead!<br />
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RRiz Reyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07706238373661664859noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766492831605819934.post-69504942000793402752014-03-24T23:31:00.000-07:002014-03-24T23:38:18.390-07:00Winter Hellebores as cut flowers and how to make them last<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFNldJ2CYPTwhOIdcS5bQCcGq_Rd0QPhQzF9iIi4op7Chj3djNsmVPwYyS1r1J4zGY1XbhYYxzOpn_eurAB_1FfPdi6NFecLRcubB1VbzctMBR0ntWTLenAV5d63HqiOEBgr4laHdj148t/s1600/Hellebore+Dish.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFNldJ2CYPTwhOIdcS5bQCcGq_Rd0QPhQzF9iIi4op7Chj3djNsmVPwYyS1r1J4zGY1XbhYYxzOpn_eurAB_1FfPdi6NFecLRcubB1VbzctMBR0ntWTLenAV5d63HqiOEBgr4laHdj148t/s1600/Hellebore+Dish.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A plate of hellebores from <a href="http://www.northwestgardennursery.com/">Northwest Garden Nursery</a></td></tr>
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March is peak Hellebore season for us in the Pacific Northwest and there's so much to love about them in the garden, but the temptation is ALWAYS there to cut them to bring inside for a vase. The trouble is, once hellebores are cut, they often have a hard time actually taking up water and in a matter of minutes, their heads are drooping and look unflattering. So to enjoy them, most people will just float them in a shallow platter like the O'brynes did above.<br />
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First, I want to write about the different types of hellebores one would encounter at a large garden center. There are two main types that are distinguished by their growth habit: stemmed (caulescent) or stemless (acaulescent).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjos0ZyVeUo9w0TIAgsHt1aSLC2Hsv7oJ1DJ6rdeypS-SI7InkI3r4pEJFYBn2FED9XAdlMK99ufQW1dnaRAjYDkkH8sn4w9Fy2ZRfppk6dXGDeI4cu8EU1q31b-pFrrdBpHIqcFij1IGMa/s1600/IMG_4295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjos0ZyVeUo9w0TIAgsHt1aSLC2Hsv7oJ1DJ6rdeypS-SI7InkI3r4pEJFYBn2FED9XAdlMK99ufQW1dnaRAjYDkkH8sn4w9Fy2ZRfppk6dXGDeI4cu8EU1q31b-pFrrdBpHIqcFij1IGMa/s1600/IMG_4295.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
Caulescent types emerge from the ground and have a prominent stem with attached alternating leaves and the clusters of flowers up top. <i>H. argutifolius</i> is an example <i>(the green ones in the photo on the right and all the foliage you see is attached to the main stem with the flowers up top)</i><br />
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Acaulescent hellebores do not form a stem with foliage, but instead, all the foliage and flowering stems emerge from the base of the plant. The "orientalis" type of hellebores are the most common. <i>(the pink flowered ones on the photo)</i><br />
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Now, between the two basic growth habits, there are hybrids between the two types creating varieties that possess some of the qualities of both resulting in vigorous and hardy garden plants.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIcU4pzJcF_c3lNbi0ghJz4ZmUm4aQjw5mIzghSEZGaEtgJa5_0P-Cz_36s3xLhy6jhUuR7vxfpgiyDDcP9I0ejeICGchj4VWbgZtOvAGK-IjaoFyCiCJmatFFbZ4JQOCj_dv7GgQHIYcs/s1600/Helleborus+Pink+Frost.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIcU4pzJcF_c3lNbi0ghJz4ZmUm4aQjw5mIzghSEZGaEtgJa5_0P-Cz_36s3xLhy6jhUuR7vxfpgiyDDcP9I0ejeICGchj4VWbgZtOvAGK-IjaoFyCiCJmatFFbZ4JQOCj_dv7GgQHIYcs/s1600/Helleborus+Pink+Frost.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Helleborus</i> x <i>ballardiae</i> 'Pink Frost'</td></tr>
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<b>I've found that all types of hellebores have a difficult time standing up when cut for a vase. There are many tricks that have proven to be effective such as:</b><br />
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1. Dip cut ends in <b>hot boiling water </b>for a few seconds.<br />
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2. <b>Flame </b>the cut ends for a few seconds to supposedly "seal in" the moisture<br />
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3. <b>Slice bottom end lengthwise</b> an inch or so to maximize water uptake. (Mentioned by <a href="http://www.valeaston.com/2014/03/hellebores-as-a-harbinger-of-springand-as-a-nosegay.html">Val Easton on her blog</a>. She wrote a book called <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Petal-Twig-Seasonal-Bouquets-Blossoms/dp/157061766X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1395729417&sr=1-1&keywords=petal+and+twig">"Petal & Twig"</a>)<br />
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4. The age of the flowers play a very important role in the longevity of a cut hellebore. <b>Wait until the ovary begins to develop when the stamens, anthers and nectaries have fallen off</b> and the flowers are a little "greener" and they'll last for about 10 days when cut (according to Diane Szukovathy of <a href="http://www.jellomoldfarm.com/">Jelly Mold Farm</a>)<br />
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I've primarily been playing with the "Orientalis" types (very uncommon to get the true <i>Helleborus orientalis</i>
species). They are botanically referred to as <i>Helleborus</i> x <i>hybridus</i>
because they're far more plentiful in bloom along with some of the
complex hybrids out there like 'Pink Frost' above, 'Merlin', and
'Cinnamon Snow'.<br />
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So recently, I chatted with Linda Beutler at the Yard, Garden, and Patio Show in Portland, Oregon who wrote the book, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Garden-Vase-Growing-Using-Flowers/dp/0881928259/ref=br_lf_m_1000103281_1_2_ttl?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&s=books&pf_rd_p=296756301&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_t=1401&pf_rd_i=1000103281&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1JDMHAKJ1MA7XATWFF00">Garden to Vase: Growing and Using your Own Cut Flowers.</a>"<br />
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<b>Linda advised me to try the following solution to condition Hellebores for arranging:</b><br />
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<b>2 tablespoons of alcohol to 1 quart of regular tap water </b><br />
<b>1 packet of flower food (optional)</b><br />
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<b>Keep Hellebores in a cool location as they soak up this solution overnight (I never found out how long, this is how long I soaked mine, but it's probably less than that) and then they'll be ready for arranging. </b><br />
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So, I used a combination to maximize the longevity of these precious cut blooms (and also to tell each of the people I've consulted about hellebores that their technique worked! LOL!)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiedfwc2PHfhPFdB0p_AtvIJ9AuLc2Sfnltn29JTWJnEzk7wVoPHxzYCwhnwREn6FzrMyOQsy_PfAbZNQO7CVWSaq7V_EMg_vgo31XRxzfsn2rFGpVO9qkT3_8SZLhiYOM8LLLalKRx8HbP/s1600/IMG_4233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiedfwc2PHfhPFdB0p_AtvIJ9AuLc2Sfnltn29JTWJnEzk7wVoPHxzYCwhnwREn6FzrMyOQsy_PfAbZNQO7CVWSaq7V_EMg_vgo31XRxzfsn2rFGpVO9qkT3_8SZLhiYOM8LLLalKRx8HbP/s1600/IMG_4233.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
I've noticed that Hellebores need to be kept cool and hydrated as if they've never been cut. So, I bring a bucket of water out to the garden that will have at least half of the cut stems submerged.<br />
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As I select stems to cut, Linda recommended that one should wait until the very first bloom to mature (meaning having the stamen, anthers, and nectaries naturally fall off). Diane will wait for all flowers to loose their central bits. <br />
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Then I used Linda's solution to condition the flowers and remarkably, they stayed perky and held up pretty well for 2-3 days inside the house. Then I noticed a few things:<br />
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1. A few wilted sooner than others. <br />
2. Re-cutting the stems seems to "uncondition" them.<br />
3. The shorter the stems (mostly submerged in the water, the longer they seemed to hold up. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDYoxBBtKScTeXQHGHb1YOrD0PH0h1mSLHo7lUnpV5qVCXJz9Fhcak2ippA4G3rAg0zf6LOocQ4kQxrlxerjRE9V0rsJnJfPPjIm5XIhXSBNMWjln0rvDjXQC1BI5acvWfjpH37dUJK8pK/s1600/Hellebore+cut+example+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDYoxBBtKScTeXQHGHb1YOrD0PH0h1mSLHo7lUnpV5qVCXJz9Fhcak2ippA4G3rAg0zf6LOocQ4kQxrlxerjRE9V0rsJnJfPPjIm5XIhXSBNMWjln0rvDjXQC1BI5acvWfjpH37dUJK8pK/s1600/Hellebore+cut+example+1.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bright and gorgeous Golden Sunrise hellebore just cut from the garden. Noticed the first flower to open and mature at the bottom.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXn_5AtlPqmuhZd7kY9tFH1k5rqN2vx7y4eQfvwyWXr9_BCjxSGPL6uG9aMUADW_HLKzYuq1_Zvuf2Z3TzlIHRXJgDMmLgQiV2_tQjtmQj-nyPbepg7SGmkCZPgA_ejdTTfQYN17AxOY9g/s1600/Hellebore+cut+example+slice+stem+base.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXn_5AtlPqmuhZd7kY9tFH1k5rqN2vx7y4eQfvwyWXr9_BCjxSGPL6uG9aMUADW_HLKzYuq1_Zvuf2Z3TzlIHRXJgDMmLgQiV2_tQjtmQj-nyPbepg7SGmkCZPgA_ejdTTfQYN17AxOY9g/s1600/Hellebore+cut+example+slice+stem+base.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Split the cut end to maximize water uptake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFGlhpx-r1VGAj8cCW0xyhr0PRENFwA6RhH4yzof21o2MhQBAb7WP-OwqJUl31nDnZx-ejdXFpCXTeYcuU0NNdToExvMu7_Y5OER3yHPgKxBi45_Ff5jDOUru06WayzINgwO7NtvhUlyvG/s1600/Hellebore+cut+example+2+in+solution.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFGlhpx-r1VGAj8cCW0xyhr0PRENFwA6RhH4yzof21o2MhQBAb7WP-OwqJUl31nDnZx-ejdXFpCXTeYcuU0NNdToExvMu7_Y5OER3yHPgKxBi45_Ff5jDOUru06WayzINgwO7NtvhUlyvG/s1600/Hellebore+cut+example+2+in+solution.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Immediately submerge in fresh water or in a conditioning solution.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>CONCLUSION: This alcohol solution seems to work and is simple, cheap and highly effective if flowers are harvested at the right stage. </b><br />
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<b>*2 tablespoons of alcohol to 1 quart of water and a packet of flower food if you have it. </b><br />
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<b>*Always keep them as cool as possible (again as if they weren't disturbed by being cut) and the shorter the stems, the better.</b><br />
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<b>*The "green" varieties seem to hold up much better than the others. </b><br />
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<b>And no, I'm no afraid of heat or fire, I just haven't gone that route because I have an issue of physically damaging plant tissue when it might not be necessary. </b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGhQErdK6TAGQ4rS6dYSihLpbC0sJpqMMEedp8_oVHqnnDslQuSPJp3hoswNw8X_L2jLR1FU0ogDsCX722qOWjhZ_bRDrGBQGuKqnXvA98zn71e6ntZom6SVzLqxI0eR9pLUl7Se25Uh7v/s1600/IMG_4235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGhQErdK6TAGQ4rS6dYSihLpbC0sJpqMMEedp8_oVHqnnDslQuSPJp3hoswNw8X_L2jLR1FU0ogDsCX722qOWjhZ_bRDrGBQGuKqnXvA98zn71e6ntZom6SVzLqxI0eR9pLUl7Se25Uh7v/s1600/IMG_4235.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Debra Prinzing, author of "<a href="http://www.slowflowers.com/">Slow Flowers</a>", with split-stemmed, alcohol/flower food conditioned hellebores from UW Botanic Gardens/Washington Park Arboretum she took with her on a plane to New York to help promote American grown flowers for a very special wedding! They held up VERY WELL and designers drooled and fought for them!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVdqHIl_TlwK8wvByQrIQc5jjlJRPAQDHyu9yQAJYOWkMzLefHCvW26LNITQfR73DX3Xo7rbUwuNAUTVXZh6AMbqQRV-GAz1O7lIEq2H1lqhGcX5Ty8H6bYm51gIX6IJuTfX29qCFcKiX_/s1600/IMG_4227.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVdqHIl_TlwK8wvByQrIQc5jjlJRPAQDHyu9yQAJYOWkMzLefHCvW26LNITQfR73DX3Xo7rbUwuNAUTVXZh6AMbqQRV-GAz1O7lIEq2H1lqhGcX5Ty8H6bYm51gIX6IJuTfX29qCFcKiX_/s1600/IMG_4227.PNG" height="320" width="236" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you spot the hellebores?? Arrangement lasted about a week in a cool room indoors and the Akebia vine opened is scented blooms!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKS4VvFj4AVWPx2oXINybjVs6_vpnlasVoWkAE4qZVoL9DQkj9Ii5bqyTYL2GEhq_NPGyQlMZQWwQNyfMj3uDr_dEyQdiL94sPmvxJT--DGXGyq9WskQSQXzOVIooG581Gdd_X94TU-h--/s1600/IMG_4287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKS4VvFj4AVWPx2oXINybjVs6_vpnlasVoWkAE4qZVoL9DQkj9Ii5bqyTYL2GEhq_NPGyQlMZQWwQNyfMj3uDr_dEyQdiL94sPmvxJT--DGXGyq9WskQSQXzOVIooG581Gdd_X94TU-h--/s1600/IMG_4287.JPG" height="282" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A very tiny centerpiece with a "conditioned" hellebore that lasted only 1 day before it curled up. Maybe if I used an "older" bloom.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYEtwRSClgBYandO50U1ceBlpcdaJlI8rmeY10GeiE0H2whftkgS6GVuIGeerVKTu9iH1m6ehlrkuosWKvnFYvL-inx-bWbXJUWLc8GJONT0IksKJmKJdJLQjc9M7bTuRNshyIcL0dgZ9a/s1600/Pink+Hellebores+with+Ribes+arrangement.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYEtwRSClgBYandO50U1ceBlpcdaJlI8rmeY10GeiE0H2whftkgS6GVuIGeerVKTu9iH1m6ehlrkuosWKvnFYvL-inx-bWbXJUWLc8GJONT0IksKJmKJdJLQjc9M7bTuRNshyIcL0dgZ9a/s1600/Pink+Hellebores+with+Ribes+arrangement.PNG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pink hellebores with flowering currant (<i>Ribes sanguineum</i>). I kept this arrangement outside. Most of the conditioned Hellebores held up for about 5 days, but one variety in the foreground is still "plump" after about 9 days.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZK8MNamLfiIwYwwmGPzn-bbsChGtn9qMuvKHan_EULz2gBeo55LyTe1yEjziim-XaQDFR2hXQKmL5uD3YMnJTysD85w6ab6zS0q9Al-n6P7CI8gsQA6PcNNvtlKi1AHMuZvG4nYHPyanB/s1600/IMG_4305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZK8MNamLfiIwYwwmGPzn-bbsChGtn9qMuvKHan_EULz2gBeo55LyTe1yEjziim-XaQDFR2hXQKmL5uD3YMnJTysD85w6ab6zS0q9Al-n6P7CI8gsQA6PcNNvtlKi1AHMuZvG4nYHPyanB/s1600/IMG_4305.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A very short arrangement using parrot tulips and the bloom head of <i>H. argutifolius</i> which did not hold up as an entire stem when conditioned and put into plain water inside the house. So I cut the flower head, conditioned the short stem in the alcohol before arranging this and they still look good after 8 days. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUK1naUepjYqJx0h6Eia3QYbeXKMY1Rh4oKKi4gSamUqhGeFjcDYePWGoHEnJYlHlYhCu6LjGGK5fhhiSHaqZ2oMH4TTh5nJWCbkdOm56gvI19RfV71wj0fiAAQcNNDLMCQv7kbL9vBNW5/s1600/IMG_9791.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUK1naUepjYqJx0h6Eia3QYbeXKMY1Rh4oKKi4gSamUqhGeFjcDYePWGoHEnJYlHlYhCu6LjGGK5fhhiSHaqZ2oMH4TTh5nJWCbkdOm56gvI19RfV71wj0fiAAQcNNDLMCQv7kbL9vBNW5/s1600/IMG_9791.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Again, shorter stems hold up longer and you can use lovely grape hyacinth with them!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdgJz08o2KdpnzMcyhloTj3Xl747PwMbs28fLqDDKIPbPLqvW0fm9Vr7Scy9DbYfOKfkquoirtoA8rI9-dAfiM_rqJnvj2N4aw4dFBrHfMI-dANxp7XK2sD2UjShMhNj-JKbXG435YEonj/s1600/IMG_9844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdgJz08o2KdpnzMcyhloTj3Xl747PwMbs28fLqDDKIPbPLqvW0fm9Vr7Scy9DbYfOKfkquoirtoA8rI9-dAfiM_rqJnvj2N4aw4dFBrHfMI-dANxp7XK2sD2UjShMhNj-JKbXG435YEonj/s1600/IMG_9844.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More hellebores and <i>Muscari latifolium</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4O_sIMN482N0cni4R4TeU5fsF05su7jcGTRZDCrf4W6ey_PbJIU6AioZCJwD1J2S27rAaa9R6u2BM0GRsCUGQjvxAeKvoVWwjfAsQG1UoPwQSo12gd3iemdj6-kGxXiAyaUMeYsRf2Fn9/s1600/IMG_0157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4O_sIMN482N0cni4R4TeU5fsF05su7jcGTRZDCrf4W6ey_PbJIU6AioZCJwD1J2S27rAaa9R6u2BM0GRsCUGQjvxAeKvoVWwjfAsQG1UoPwQSo12gd3iemdj6-kGxXiAyaUMeYsRf2Fn9/s1600/IMG_0157.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black hellebores with the silver/green cardoon foliage is stunning together with sprays of <i>Osmanthus delavayi</i> for fragrance</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqGAUWzKzF6KNd9w33jRf0G04qWV1SrpDNA9Pp3kfEfaSYQYHdEWZlMe1_Yvv0SXwSei8pcwi-jD_JwbaNyhp1WoN4XAuIN40DWQ-MJnpDbXv7oN_auC55UmOTyXaTLx3SPfo-QnkafBAM/s1600/IMG_0160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqGAUWzKzF6KNd9w33jRf0G04qWV1SrpDNA9Pp3kfEfaSYQYHdEWZlMe1_Yvv0SXwSei8pcwi-jD_JwbaNyhp1WoN4XAuIN40DWQ-MJnpDbXv7oN_auC55UmOTyXaTLx3SPfo-QnkafBAM/s1600/IMG_0160.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Older blossoms of 'Pink Frost' hold up well and much longer than the delicate <i>Epimedium</i> in the foreground</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3uNjRLQ21ahpxUj4nbc3stFgVAxQffK3FF-lXg1mpm5G1d0ykr7mcocIK-aig1XFqJmtNRenvnEzZHCUnZ4a99IPs4dOy9Ryt_kb6vLcxxlIQMlt0D3L3HnKxEKmu5XCNoHPtF4t17gsQ/s1600/IMG_0161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3uNjRLQ21ahpxUj4nbc3stFgVAxQffK3FF-lXg1mpm5G1d0ykr7mcocIK-aig1XFqJmtNRenvnEzZHCUnZ4a99IPs4dOy9Ryt_kb6vLcxxlIQMlt0D3L3HnKxEKmu5XCNoHPtF4t17gsQ/s1600/IMG_0161.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green and chartreuse mean SPRING!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMHPKPnN50wRxokDiQ57rNVx4IaaJ0eQf8KNQsT8sb_VpGJtYrNWFFe2EhU-XTxME2gawipyevlvk8mQos0dXISKMR6o6QNVgdJTdBcJelhebcr44dvdUpzViOvoZ73jsDajZqyc_kShQi/s1600/IMG_0162.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMHPKPnN50wRxokDiQ57rNVx4IaaJ0eQf8KNQsT8sb_VpGJtYrNWFFe2EhU-XTxME2gawipyevlvk8mQos0dXISKMR6o6QNVgdJTdBcJelhebcr44dvdUpzViOvoZ73jsDajZqyc_kShQi/s1600/IMG_0162.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_NbXNOJMbDrvS1_My4ync1gRVoUmTlrc0EIMrFx_cRnFEqte1lSvFTeRiIixwjtPJqppAf-bJ1KoKNEDmCMw66hMJ0dcIMrnstNHnFzNOca0oQ_ncMzD8V-OqfHwBwTGns9oLAEv5gBxp/s1600/IMG_0163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_NbXNOJMbDrvS1_My4ync1gRVoUmTlrc0EIMrFx_cRnFEqte1lSvFTeRiIixwjtPJqppAf-bJ1KoKNEDmCMw66hMJ0dcIMrnstNHnFzNOca0oQ_ncMzD8V-OqfHwBwTGns9oLAEv5gBxp/s1600/IMG_0163.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgThtZpdNDhEQMDmEtOwbAGKf8wGkkRUWAusB2SyV5oavQuRQFLCVAmIe_e3U7q1D43qWQimX0ITXOzBr17ta-pDYCI4lQbX0FwgVgZOQGi6fIszTsKMdmK-NqBJJfZx-uqK_cTVuKeqJWW/s1600/IMG_9173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgThtZpdNDhEQMDmEtOwbAGKf8wGkkRUWAusB2SyV5oavQuRQFLCVAmIe_e3U7q1D43qWQimX0ITXOzBr17ta-pDYCI4lQbX0FwgVgZOQGi6fIszTsKMdmK-NqBJJfZx-uqK_cTVuKeqJWW/s1600/IMG_9173.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"I'm ready...." it says...</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMHPKPnN50wRxokDiQ57rNVx4IaaJ0eQf8KNQsT8sb_VpGJtYrNWFFe2EhU-XTxME2gawipyevlvk8mQos0dXISKMR6o6QNVgdJTdBcJelhebcr44dvdUpzViOvoZ73jsDajZqyc_kShQi/s1600/IMG_0162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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Riz<br />
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<br />Riz Reyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07706238373661664859noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766492831605819934.post-14616795029631133642014-03-05T00:01:00.000-08:002014-03-05T14:59:41.477-08:00A collaborative design: Northwest Flower and Garden Show 2014 Floral CompetitionWhile I was relieved not to have done a show garden at this year's Northwest Flower and Garden Show, I still wanted to take part and it was actually the show manager, Cyle Eldred, who called and recommended that I enter a floral arrangement for the floral competition after seeing some of my work posted on Facebook and Instagram. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHqUXnnbcUNy6dy8GNlj9Cqe8FvjvTvEENB5A4u16JEM3gvolVTUSszOH6sQPowspkWm45NPzNxzy3isX65pLwfayZZiCHaL45qCY9eQl102Znd81wlQNHYQ5iK6QFpZaQp3sZtip7uCDl/s1600/IMG_3794.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHqUXnnbcUNy6dy8GNlj9Cqe8FvjvTvEENB5A4u16JEM3gvolVTUSszOH6sQPowspkWm45NPzNxzy3isX65pLwfayZZiCHaL45qCY9eQl102Znd81wlQNHYQ5iK6QFpZaQp3sZtip7uCDl/s1600/IMG_3794.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a>I seriously considered designing on my own, but I saw another opportunity present itself when I learned that floral designer, Nicole Cordier, wanted to collaborate on a project. Thanks to our mentor, <a href="http://www.slowflowers.com/">Slow Flowers</a> ambassador and garden writer Debra Prinzing, who planted the idea in our minds, we set forth and planned out an arrangement that would reflect our aesthetic and showcase the love for what we do.<br />
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Throughout our entire process, it seemed like that was the underlying goal: to have fun and create something that we knew people around us would absolutely love. Yes, it was a floral competition with a cash prize and all, but just to participate and have fun working together was important for Nicole and I.<br />
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I might have mentioned Nicole a few months back when I talked about teaming up with young floral designers who were aspiring to be urban cut flower growers. A native of Colorado, she was drawn to the lushness of the Pacific Northwest and made Seattle her home for the past few years. Having recently married and now expecting a baby boy come April, life couldn't have moved faster for Nicole this past year, but she's handled it well! Working for the Seattle Wholesale Grower's Market and then a local floral shop in West Seattle, Nicole has been profiled by garden columnist Valerie Easton and has made many friends and contacts in the industry.<br />
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As experienced and talented as she is, Nicole is a lot like me in that she's not very good at tooting her own horn. Hehehe. While I thought I was poor in marketing myself, Nicole didn't even have business cards as we began brainstorming ideas for our display.<br />
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I began to anticipate that this display would be Nicole's coming out party. It would be her chance to really get her name out there and I simply had to step back and just assist in any way I could. During one of our meetings, we brainstormed ideas for her business name and I strongly felt that her last name "Cordier" (pronounced<i> kor-dee-yay</i>) sounded classy, high-end, and could easily stand alone. <br />
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For the show, she went with <i><b>Cordier - Botanical Art </b></i>and, most recently, I fantasized for her having a lavish studio that would be referred to as "The Botanical Floral House of Cordier".<br />
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"Botanical" is the key phrase that made me so enthusiastic about working with Nicole. She has a fondness for natural flora; forest elements such as moss and ferns captivate her.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSFb96CQgDDvd7FTR2CdoLTqFhIBXNxvZnvt1Gl4cbEv8hXI3ykevSn7AJSOoyH6t4EU0uKv1JvITA0zA6iJhToXcbIan9pf79Ujr7_kHIP-bSgyXMlEG_huWZFQ0BufNLXrRMERuRQvu5/s1600/IMG_3798.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSFb96CQgDDvd7FTR2CdoLTqFhIBXNxvZnvt1Gl4cbEv8hXI3ykevSn7AJSOoyH6t4EU0uKv1JvITA0zA6iJhToXcbIan9pf79Ujr7_kHIP-bSgyXMlEG_huWZFQ0BufNLXrRMERuRQvu5/s1600/IMG_3798.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwx2uPS7PA6Mgfqqorcnuv_RwXE-3yGmt6xjaIU8hJYYUqeCRytCx26hyYbO4AZPB28m2XOAUzGZijdyCuMFkOY5irhd-2w9zNCS37aoRPYkZHi0hg5ynfeYGW1ms4VfNBxINRgkYo4ZBV/s1600/IMG_3797.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwx2uPS7PA6Mgfqqorcnuv_RwXE-3yGmt6xjaIU8hJYYUqeCRytCx26hyYbO4AZPB28m2XOAUzGZijdyCuMFkOY5irhd-2w9zNCS37aoRPYkZHi0hg5ynfeYGW1ms4VfNBxINRgkYo4ZBV/s1600/IMG_3797.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a>Using as much seasonal and local material we could source, we moved in and looked as if I had planned another show garden with the quantity of materials we gathered. From Camellia foliage and buds from her garden to potted pitcher plants from a local grower, locally forced bulbs and branches, and even moss and lichen from work comprised of our display we entitled, "Enrapture".<br />
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With a suspended manzanita branch (<i>Arctostaphylos sp.</i>) above with illuminated tips as the central vein of this display, the idea was the branch would pull a botanical tableau from the mossy ground unveiling a colorful and unique palette of earthly delights.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiejb_vdzIKuP51gGFkq7PPVWiwEbHB5QR6AaNNIjaF-PME-sAT06_7tlL6kILQwrZJLtKf33z9oIZVSmJXE_FmAokYTMYOvJ14drpGXkeWHxNXjp2sqbnutZTcRpSy7cPfars9ZQNzLET6/s1600/IMG_3834.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiejb_vdzIKuP51gGFkq7PPVWiwEbHB5QR6AaNNIjaF-PME-sAT06_7tlL6kILQwrZJLtKf33z9oIZVSmJXE_FmAokYTMYOvJ14drpGXkeWHxNXjp2sqbnutZTcRpSy7cPfars9ZQNzLET6/s1600/IMG_3834.JPG" height="320" width="156" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrvBcOZqcdbOINuFZv0fyUgU_pZj6FhqwLBkRj_pTun_mv00ylX66UR5jTt4C_xTrR9jvyEerRnp7WTmR3u7crfllNOyWOe0aarCu9MZTwWVhQoSubhXUuPHSzQ8WmkwFE4-d0dMVENTVK/s1600/IMG_3833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrvBcOZqcdbOINuFZv0fyUgU_pZj6FhqwLBkRj_pTun_mv00ylX66UR5jTt4C_xTrR9jvyEerRnp7WTmR3u7crfllNOyWOe0aarCu9MZTwWVhQoSubhXUuPHSzQ8WmkwFE4-d0dMVENTVK/s1600/IMG_3833.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijnUbcgBQ2gID7Fhnc9-6Vk_Kr3Rk8QqoxiTi4cFYhc7gLn7TRZ76ZqpjyxDU100_24L7VFayrna_pyPHQGi5VvNwhLci0ngTBpd2FsGwr71hDAgqKNKtMLSmii3xmX0yqM8yUzgeTzXor/s1600/IMG_3819.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijnUbcgBQ2gID7Fhnc9-6Vk_Kr3Rk8QqoxiTi4cFYhc7gLn7TRZ76ZqpjyxDU100_24L7VFayrna_pyPHQGi5VvNwhLci0ngTBpd2FsGwr71hDAgqKNKtMLSmii3xmX0yqM8yUzgeTzXor/s1600/IMG_3819.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bright red <i>Ranunculus</i> grown in Oregon with <i>Cymbidium</i> orchids from Canada and blackberries from California.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwFJQ4TUKbuSH-ziI0W_ncGXa-2aZExquNiMGX4tykaUdRqb_5vKGBg2cIGjEq-9Tyjz3AzB9g1d9ozxHiikqugguSSji4o5HeF_ENtHJ6JRU8j4RzG0oTaeXOYxWH_x-MRsBCrD3MY8Rh/s1600/IMG_3820.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwFJQ4TUKbuSH-ziI0W_ncGXa-2aZExquNiMGX4tykaUdRqb_5vKGBg2cIGjEq-9Tyjz3AzB9g1d9ozxHiikqugguSSji4o5HeF_ENtHJ6JRU8j4RzG0oTaeXOYxWH_x-MRsBCrD3MY8Rh/s1600/IMG_3820.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Saraccenia</i> (Pitcher Plants) with Peterkort roses from Oregon, Nicole's Camellias surprisingly opened to our delight and matched the colors perfectly and the silver <i>Brunia</i> adds a lovely texture.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHsF4KyUBNl_pWnSw7xvFZ7za1TP8-pQ0kNoxneVUOSMMAV1tNAzsKMLMqqLvM_TKU1ZItBMquak3a2-JMr_lr02RVC9F4N4JiqVvF0WxlFgqy16rCwtH5vrKhn3-RBQiXn0vpwEfgY-AZ/s1600/IMG_3822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHsF4KyUBNl_pWnSw7xvFZ7za1TP8-pQ0kNoxneVUOSMMAV1tNAzsKMLMqqLvM_TKU1ZItBMquak3a2-JMr_lr02RVC9F4N4JiqVvF0WxlFgqy16rCwtH5vrKhn3-RBQiXn0vpwEfgY-AZ/s1600/IMG_3822.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scented hyacinths from British Columbia, <i>Helleborus</i> x Cinnamon Snow from my garden and the dramatic leaf of <i>Anthurium clarinervium</i>)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRXSVpdh4OdhXeSmfL2taouBxNsMVhz0LIxLcdCLJmiO7VZJdbyCwKq1YV5cChL7JGZGEdpks2WcTBlWLcVWgzemIxah0yaB6m-TARgg2Y-LWPtl78XW10Mksjvs47BAllxP4DcmYbu8xY/s1600/IMG_3825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRXSVpdh4OdhXeSmfL2taouBxNsMVhz0LIxLcdCLJmiO7VZJdbyCwKq1YV5cChL7JGZGEdpks2WcTBlWLcVWgzemIxah0yaB6m-TARgg2Y-LWPtl78XW10Mksjvs47BAllxP4DcmYbu8xY/s1600/IMG_3825.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another batch of stunning <i>Seraccenia</i></td></tr>
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We found out the results of the judging the following day and were a little bummed that our display didn't place, but our satisfaction was obvious regardless having left the convention center after we put the finishing touches on before judging. Nicole saying she had fun was our first place ribbon!<br />
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Throughout the show, groups of people would stop and take their time and admire our work. The feedback we got was so positive and I was relieved that Nicole had finally gotten a stack of business cards because she would constantly run out.<br />
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The day before the show closed, I get a text from Nicole saying a shiny purple ribbon appeared on the table! We had won the "People's Choice Award"!!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The remnants of our display loaded back in my truck with the other remaining flowers shared with passerby show attendees as we dismantled our display. It's a little tradition I have that I'm glad Nicole embraced as she wholeheartedly handed roses to anyone who'd take them as they exited the show.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There goes a wonderful talent and kind heart. Until her next masterpiece...</td></tr>
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<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-tLQjTfoBRi0%2FUxbHiD1OT7I%2FAAAAAAAAA7o%2Fo9luhruqncc%2Fs1600%2FIMG_3834.JPG&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiejb_vdzIKuP51gGFkq7PPVWiwEbHB5QR6AaNNIjaF-PME-sAT06_7tlL6kILQwrZJLtKf33z9oIZVSmJXE_FmAokYTMYOvJ14drpGXkeWHxNXjp2sqbnutZTcRpSy7cPfars9ZQNzLET6/s1600/IMG_3834.JPG" -->Riz Reyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07706238373661664859noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766492831605819934.post-21841961703785500022014-01-10T07:50:00.000-08:002014-01-10T07:50:00.379-08:002013: Plants, Flowers and the People<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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2013 NW Flower and Garden Show: "The Lost Gardener"</div>
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MARCH: Meeting sculptor and avid plantswoman Marcia Donahue in Berkeley, CA!</div>
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APRIL: Wedding flowers for Annie and Erika! </div>
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MAY: Garden author Ken Druse visits Seattle and I'm profiled in an article he wrote for Organic Gardening Magazine.</div>
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The Two Divas: My brother Karl and our friend Arnaldo Innocentes perform a Cabaret show in drag! Congratulatory bouquets from the garden</div>
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JUNE: My 31st birthday with my buddy, Reid.</div>
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Another profile and article for the News Tribune (Photo by Craig Sailor)</div>
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Summer Roses and other flowers from my garden</div>
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JULY: Floral Inspirations visiting local growers in peak bloom time and meeting noted floral extraordinaire Francoise Weeks</div>
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Summer Teaching....YES, in Seattle! </div>
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AUGUST: Emergent: A group for young horticulture professionals gather at Xera Plants in Portland, OR</div>
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SUMMER WEDDINGS: Wedding flowers for all three ladies here in 2013. Karina (far left) was in May, Molly (far right) was in September and here we all are at Michelle's wedding with her flowers.</div>
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SEPTEMBER: Summer night at the winery! Joining friends for a concert at Chateau St. Michelle seeing OneRepublic and guest Sara Bareilles. And some singing in the car...</div>
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Garden Party Celebrating the official union of my dear friends Daniel and Jeff!</div>
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Urban Growers Co-Op: My lovely lady friends designing, growing and promoting locally sourced, sustainably grown fresh cut flowers!</div>
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OCTOBER: First international speaking engagement in Vancouver, BC CANADA!</div>
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NOVEMBER: Floral design and a lesson in pricing with Alicia Schwede!</div>
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Grand Opening of cousin's marijuana accessories boutique in Seattle, WA called TRICHOME</div>
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DECEMBER: Holiday arrangement for Terra Bella Flowers in Seattle, WA</div>
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Holiday wreath celebrating the purchase of a new vehicle!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Happy 2014!! RAWR!!!!!!!! </span></td></tr>
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I didn't feel on top of work and I was (and still am), thinking and worrying too much about what needs to be done, what I should be doing, etc. etc.<br />
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The new year is suppose to be a fresh start, but when you've got your own business and you've overseeing every aspect of everything that it takes to properly run it, it's hard to just flip a switch and say you're in "work mode" or "personal mode". Often times, it blurs together and that's where I often run into trouble.<br />
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New Years resolutions don't work. I just told a friend on Facebook that "I'm still working on New Year's Resolutions from 25 years ago!" and, in a way, it's kind of true. You accomplish great things in life and you falter, crash and burn from time to time and learning to accept both is a challenge for many people.<br />
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What has helped is looking back at last year and taking pride in all the wonderful events and experiences that took place and, for me, NOT to compare and tell myself "you need to be better and do more", but instead say, "WOW, that was awesome! Now look forward to some new things and some old things that you love and just do your best!"<br />
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At times, it just takes a closer look at what you're doing: ignoring the distractions that cloud and strain your judgements and, instead, capturing the essence of a simple moment while rediscovering the love of nature and all that it has to offer.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">January: Gunnera</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">February: Edgeworthia</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">March: Donahue Sculpture</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">April: Iris and Convallaria</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">May: Tulip</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">June: Rosa</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">July: Sanguisorba and Nasella</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">August: Lilium</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">September: Dahlia</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">October: Fall Arrangement</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">November: Fall Arrangement with Tillandsia</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">December: Beesia</td></tr>
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Happy 2014 Everyone!<br />
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Riz<br />
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<br />Riz Reyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07706238373661664859noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766492831605819934.post-78582223502988234622013-12-09T22:29:00.000-08:002013-12-09T22:31:25.524-08:00Reminiscing of Summer: A Danger GardenWith our temperatures dropping into the teens this past weekend, I'm trying to accept the fact that some plants may have suffered a bit of damage or may be totally toast. At times, no matter how much you try protect or bring in, you'll always endure a bit of damage, but how much depends on just how far below freezing we get and how soon. Luckily, we didn't have a abrupt cold snap like a few years ago, but rather than whine and complain about how cold it is, I'd like to look back and be reminded of a most awesome summer and a wonderful trip down to Portland, OR (which, sadly, endured snow and much colder temperatures the past few days). One garden was an exceptional treat and also one I'm a tad bit worried about after our freeze, but should it pull through this season, it is one fine collection by a woman who's getting quite a readership on her blog, <a href="http://dangergarden.blogspot.com/">"Danger Garden"</a>.<br />
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This is the garden of Loree Bohl:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2NxIVcF3F2uQbRu3ChhXjSgeJSu_JN05sA89Qlq4OU1zJKqahkX7bD5CM_pDcyAqbgFrwDa7gcXzVUTuZJkJNpZR0_5pHsqLsO97MIz8M2d02DizVn2P81W8tJRMEy1PBRoeS03Xwicfx/s1600/IMG_2776.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2NxIVcF3F2uQbRu3ChhXjSgeJSu_JN05sA89Qlq4OU1zJKqahkX7bD5CM_pDcyAqbgFrwDa7gcXzVUTuZJkJNpZR0_5pHsqLsO97MIz8M2d02DizVn2P81W8tJRMEy1PBRoeS03Xwicfx/s320/IMG_2776.JPG" width="320" /></a>Driving by, it's very apparent which is Loree's garden. Beautifully kept with interesting plants and big, bold textures dominate the space and, immediately, you know you're looking at a plant person's garden. Various cacti and succulents are dressed carefully with a layer of gravel giving each specimen importance and aiding in much needed drainage. The ginormous 'Steroidal Giant' rice paper plant is a true "indicator" plant of a plant nut in the Pacific Northwest.<br />
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Growing it in somewhat of a dryer area may be smart for the plant as it has a tendency to really run. The pavement and gravel probably help it to wake up in spring much earlier as it often takes a full growing season to get this size of leaves!<br />
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I came with plant friends Justin Galicic, Preston Pew and Matt Berberich to see Loree's remarkable garden and all three have heard of her blog and were so eager to meet her in person and see her amazing garden. She was so very welcoming and had a wonderful time dissecting the many elements of her fine garden. Not only were there cool plants, there were interesting combinations and a wonderful use of space (especially in the rear garden).<br />
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Loree is a gardener who likes to experiment; texture and dramatic form captivate her and her selections and it truly shows. There are rare plants and there are common plants as well aimed to complete a striking look. It isn't wild and over the top. There's room for plants to expand and grow and I sense a wonderful pacing of edits along the way.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A striking <i>Agave</i> in the foreground (left) and the beautifully placed <i>Arctostaphylos</i> 'Austin Griffins' with its peeling bark backlit.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A young <i>Yucca rostrata</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A striking combination of<i> Nolina nelsonii </i>with<i> Canna</i> 'Australia' backlit in the background.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hardy prickly-pear Opuntias are abundant</td></tr>
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Make your way to the back and a treasure trove of wonderful plants await! I loved the sense of a welcome by one of my most favorite broadleaf evergreen shrubs of all time, the rare <i>Fatsia polycarpa</i> with its long petioles and deeply, palmately lobed leaves. And then everywhere you eye looked was a great plant. The square pavers and even the lawn was a very important feature of this space as it allowed the visitor to enter the space, give it a sense of grandeur thus allowing the eye to rest while it transition through another room.<br />
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The use of containers in this garden was quite affective. There may be too many for most people's liking because of the tedious watering some may require, but the fact that more are succulents or air plants, they lend themselves to being forgotten while they look spectacular as accents all summer long.</div>
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A series of sitting areas makes this garden wonderful both as an intimate space where one can decide just how much exposure they'd like and as an entertainment space to spread a crowd out so the details of each element can be appreciated and admired. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjneyn9g7PYJUjCwyw3jCoSF-qHDs8wq87gnomatDXjIpgn4L6xjRGUz4IuW0vFmVPuwfdOQOGmp1jGVxhZj6FEJAyS_GqQfQ9p18sRMJkHrCYwWTGtFkJvMvnaqBLWP5_7O72xP7OVSuR/s1600/Matt+Loree+Preston+Justin.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjneyn9g7PYJUjCwyw3jCoSF-qHDs8wq87gnomatDXjIpgn4L6xjRGUz4IuW0vFmVPuwfdOQOGmp1jGVxhZj6FEJAyS_GqQfQ9p18sRMJkHrCYwWTGtFkJvMvnaqBLWP5_7O72xP7OVSuR/s320/Matt+Loree+Preston+Justin.JPG" width="320" /></a>Our sincerest thanks to Loree for sharing her wonderful garden with us and may the rest of winter be kinder until next spring as we determine what's made it and what we'll have to purchase again. =(<br />
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I'm sure all the containers came inside, but the majority of her garden should be alright knowing the lengths we (including Loree) go through to protect our "marginals", we refer to them as. <br />
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Oh, I must throw in that she's also a Tillandsia freak like myself. I adore her compositions and, yes, even an arrangemnt in the bathroom captivated me!<br />
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Well done, Loree!<br />
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Riz<br />
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<br />Riz Reyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07706238373661664859noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766492831605819934.post-48972442269310481542013-11-02T20:12:00.000-07:002013-11-02T20:12:06.526-07:00Crossing the Border: My first "International" speaking gigGreetings readers!<br />
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Yes, I'm still alive and I still exist and I'm finally getting around to posting something on here.<br />
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So, I'd like to share an experience I had just last weekend so I can skip talking about all that has happened since my last post, which took place in August! Now, over two months later, we can get caught up! Hahahah<br />
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Ok....in a nutshell:<br />
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1) My friend Molly got hitched and I did her flowers and it turned out pretty awesome.<br />
2) UW Botanic Gardens/Washington Park Arboretum launched the opening of the New Zealand forest at the Arboretum.<br />
3) I met Loree of "Danger Garden" and had a GREAT time with friends in Portland. (future blog post for sure!)<br />
4) Did a floral showcase with new friends in the cut flower industry that I've made.<br />
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gosh.....so much to share and document! <br />
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FOR THIS POST, I'd like to take you all with me to British Columbia for my first ever speaking engagement with the <a href="http://www.bcgardenclubs.com/clubs/south_surrey_garden_club.html">South Surrey Garden Club</a> and the Vancouver Hardy Plant Group.<br />
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I drove up Wednesday afternoon to meet my hosts at a lovely garden called <a href="http://www.dartshill.ca/">Dart's Hill</a>. Just a few minutes from the USA/Canadian border, we were blessed with stunning fall weather and the landscape was in full color. It felt a little weird being on a private tour, but it was quite an honor and to be told that members were looking forward to my talk was kind of cool! Made me a little nervous, but it was really nice of them to say.<br /><br />
Shortly after the garden visit, we headed over to White Rock for dinner and that's when the dense fog rolled in. As expected, though, the group was so kind, so polite and it was nice to see such an active club. Of course I was obviously the youngest person there (minus the AV/set up person to assist), but I was most surprised by the number of male members that were in attendance!<br />
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My talk for the South Surrey Garden Club was on "Autumn Appeal: Celebrating the change and color in the Fall Landscape".<br />
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Later in the evening, I endured the very thick fog that slowed my drive up to Vancouver, but I made it. It was quite exciting and so very generous of the Vancouver Hardy Plant Group to set me up for a few nights at a well known downtown hotel. I had a few days before my talk for the group so I took the time to sleep in, visit some favorite places, and reconnect with some friends.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I couldn't help but buy flowers and assemble a bouquet for my friends who I haven't seen in years!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Carpinus fangiana</i></td></tr>
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Of course I had to hit up UBC Botanical Garden to see great colors, wonderful plants (including a tree that I'll always be so infatuated with every time I visit. <i>Carpinus fangiana</i>)<br />
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Walking through the woodlands, I was getting frustratrated with my camera not working properly and then I began to think, "I've been to this garden many times and I've loads of pictures"<br />
I put the camera away and just tried to soak up all that was around me. Yes, being here is like work, but to be reminded from time to time that landscapes and plants are meant to be enjoyed as well. I didn't want to stress about documenting each plant and capturing the right photographs for future talks.<br />
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<br />I made a pretty quick walk through the garden, but then managed to make it and explore my next destination. Van Dusen<br />
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Saturday arrived and so did the Vancouver Hardy Plant Group's Fall Study Day held at the HR MacMillan Space Centre . I was one of three speakers and, WOW, what a line up it was. I think I kind of let it get to me that I would be speaking after two well known speakers and I was a bit hard on myself after the talk, but I did what I could I'm just hoping my talk and story-telling about Fragrant Plants was well received.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiding behind the stage flowers as attendees sit down for the lectures.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">David Culp spoke on his book, The Layered Garden, and closed out the day with a talk on Galanthus</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bill Terry gave a wonderful talk about embracing natives and working with our natural landscapes.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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My sincerest thanks to the South Surrey Garden Club and the Vancouver Hardy Plant Group for this wonderful experience! <br />
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Cheers,<br />
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<br />Riz<br />
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<br />Riz Reyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07706238373661664859noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766492831605819934.post-37793508676437532422013-09-15T22:03:00.001-07:002013-09-15T22:03:02.634-07:00EMERGENT comes together: A new group bringing young horticultural professionals together<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.organicgardening.com/living/the-new-generation"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYy7Npk47bY0JhXagoU-2B-YHdjA6slWg9FZy6GYs5ci7Z566kKgqjKqOTDd3Xh2AlXXpozhaXaz1zUIV9K04mi41Ty8YAjjXnIS4c5Uy1STwWPebo7kImQEkKqz5NGMzcXXk-_3x-gczO/s320/OG+Article.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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After the issue of Organic Gardening magazine (that had me in it!) came out, a group was formed on Facebook to help connect young horticultural professionals online and the name "EMERGENT" was introduced and we've begun to explore who we are, what we can do, what we're promoting, and also, "why?"<br />
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There have been multiple discussions online via Google Chats, Facebook Messenger and texts and we've all been suggesting that we have a get together in person should the right opportunity present itself.<br />
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So, the Farwest Show in Portland, OR was right around the corner. This industry trade show brings in people from across the US for meetings, seminars, and the ever popular "schmooze fest"! Realizing that a handful of people would be there, we started to organize an informal "meet and greet".<br />
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With plants being the common bond we all share, I immediately thought about <a href="http://www.xeraplants.com/">Xera Plants</a>'s new retail site in Portland and asked if they would host us. Greg and Paul warmly welcomed our group and had our informal gathering!<br />
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There were many familiar faces and a few I met for the very first time in person that I met via Facebook. Western Washington was well represented with my buddies Matthew Berberich, Preston Pew, Justin Galicic, and Meagan McManus Haskins.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt, Justin and fellow plantsman Erik Peterson from Oregon</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kelly on the right and Jared on the left checking out succulents at Xera</td></tr>
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Also in attendance is the remarkable <a href="http://www.kellydnorris.com/">Kelly Norris</a> who is the Horticulural Manager at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden in Iowa. He is a very well known speaker, published author (which reminds me, I need to plant my Bearded Irises very soon!) and such an advocate of the up and coming generation of gardeners. Then there's<a href="http://www4.ncsu.edu/~jgbarne2/0%20HS%20Templates/HS%20Home.html"> Jared Barnes</a>, who we've dubbed "The Reverend Doctor Barnes", that I finally had the great pleasure of meeting in person. This is a young man studying floriculture at North Carolina State University and is quite a character! Super nice guy, too!<br />
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Check Jared out as "SuperSeed!" Now, you'll have to think back to your basic biology/botany classes to find it really funny, but WOW, what a courageous and enthusiastic guy!<br />
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Another young "EMERGENT" I met and actually helped me get this meeting together is a young lady named Crystal Johnson-Cady from Salem, OR. She was a busy woman coordinating speakers for the Farwest Show for the Oregon Association of Nurseries and is a proud graduate of Oregon State University studying botany and plant pathology. Her venture, Sunflower Acres Farm and Garden, is shaping up to be another busy, but exciting endeavor!<br />
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It was incredible meeting everyone this this group. I gave a little speech and acknowledged just how incredible it was to be a part of such a talented and hard working group. Each person had their own specialties, their own personalities, and I mentioned just how important their contributions are to the future of our industry. I'm so glad that I'm not alone in my aspirations.<br />
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This was just a small gathering of who's out there as there are many more across the nation, but I hope these types of gatherings continue to occur in all the different regions of not just the nation, but also around the world. We have the technology and resources to send out information much quicker than ever before and it's vital that these meet-and-greets IN PERSON events are held. It's great to know who's who, who specializes in what and also just learn from on another to keep us driven and motivated!<br />
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Riz<br />
<br />Riz Reyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07706238373661664859noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766492831605819934.post-64376978262795593022013-09-04T07:02:00.000-07:002013-09-04T07:02:00.756-07:00Thrilling Tillandsias: Summer Wedding Celebrations with Air Plants!Tillandsias have regained such popularity the past few years thanks to a number of different designers who've utilized them extensively in products aimed towards urban dwellers who have limited time and space for plants.<a href="http://www.floragrubb.com/"> Flora Grubb</a> in San Francisco is probably one of the more prominent promoters of air plants and it has truly taken off and when one comes up with a great idea and takes it to the next level, others will follow and copy! Hhahahaha<br />
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In a way, her and her designers work inspire me to re-discover the world of Tillandsias and use them in ways I never thought I could. It's an interest and fascination I've had since I was in my preteens when I was really introduced to them by Rick Owens of Owen's Gardens. He and his wife, Barbara, have been such supporters of my career for a long time and I wanted to use their plants in my work.<br />
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Tillandsia is a genus from the family of Bromeliads, which includes the Pineapple. There are just under 600 species native to the tropical regions of the Americas and the West Indies. I first discovered them mounted on seashells attached to magnets in grocery stores and found it absolutely fascinating that they were live plants that didn't need soil to grow.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tillandsia straminea. A fragrant blooming species</td></tr>
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I began collecting them and was drawn to species that had fragrant flowers. Then my interest gravitated towards outdoor plants and my collection literally dried up as I forgot to keep them misted and I didn't have a bright spot indoors to keep them happy. My interest in them never waned as I would visit Barb and Rick each year for the Northwest Flower and Garden Show and check out their amazing selection.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My shipment of Tillandsias from Rick and Barb at Owen's Gardens</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Assorted Tillandsias with Aeoniums</td></tr>
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As I got more involved with floral arranging this year and began seeing Tillandsias in various designs, I decided to begin working with them again. I've found that their texture works very well with succulents (another hot and trendy thing now, too), but just as a filler and unique curiosity in a bouquet, for example, makes for a great conversation piece!!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Tillandsia xerographica</i></td></tr>
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In the run up and preparation for my friend, Michelle's, wedding, she has asked me to do the flower for her whole wedding and knowing her, I wanted to create somthing absolutely unique and one of a kind. Inspired by a bouquet created by <a href="http://floragrubb.com/cutting/">Flora Grubb's floral designer, Susie Nadler, </a>I wanted to incorporate one of the grand daddies of all Tillandsia species commonly available to enthusiast,<i> T. xerographica</i>.<br />
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You may remember <a href="http://nextgenerationgardener.blogspot.com/2013/05/farm-fresh-spring-wedding-flowers-part-2.html">Michelle from my friend, Karina's, wedding back in May</a>. She was a bridesmaid then and now she gets to be centerstage along with her now husband, Genc, who tied the knot just North of Seattle at Michelle's former church. Again, aiming to use mostly locally grown and sourced materials, I took Michelle and Genc to the Seattle Wholesale Grower's Market and introduced them to the growers of the plants and flowers I would be using to decorate their church. I want to make a separate post about her bouquet to really showcase the variety of exquisite plants and flowers I used, but this was the grand result:<br />
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Another celebration took place shortly after Michelle and Genc's wedding. My friends and avid gardeners, Jeff Schouten and Daniel Sparler, had their wedding this February as same-sex marriage was FINALLY approved and recognized in the State of Washington. As part of their festivities, I volunteered to help prepare their garden for a summer celebration of 200+ guest. As a "thank you", they invited me to dinner where I brought Daniel a belated birthday gift of the succulents and Tillandsia composition above imbellished with a few more species and a most unusual poppy seed head, which I also used in Michelle's bouquet.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWpulWAUK12bqlvBZkuKJblPNdxnOqgGKOVVyQVvgW9kXv9368xSiHTf3O6o3yr2su4g8pIjnp5SW_EVSvstjA__z7ahRmbdGqDm4twg-fo60fHxXtheoPJ1O52IhwLRUr0tUoQwLfke9N/s1600/IMG_2101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWpulWAUK12bqlvBZkuKJblPNdxnOqgGKOVVyQVvgW9kXv9368xSiHTf3O6o3yr2su4g8pIjnp5SW_EVSvstjA__z7ahRmbdGqDm4twg-fo60fHxXtheoPJ1O52IhwLRUr0tUoQwLfke9N/s400/IMG_2101.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The wait staff and cooks picked up on his enthusiasm...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlvScgxnRfPgH0y88mz8qmVMbiCBi0mbWtNKhaJqq1mI_h7CmX2o6DhQGXx09Z8DGfnMP5TbrxxlIFPXmnf7SGbcqpWykQsNlz-P_PnYWCn1OuKflK9z9RGSGMntSCpmhFAPa2wa256FrD/s1600/Daniel+with+Head+dress.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlvScgxnRfPgH0y88mz8qmVMbiCBi0mbWtNKhaJqq1mI_h7CmX2o6DhQGXx09Z8DGfnMP5TbrxxlIFPXmnf7SGbcqpWykQsNlz-P_PnYWCn1OuKflK9z9RGSGMntSCpmhFAPa2wa256FrD/s400/Daniel+with+Head+dress.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...so he put it on to show!! </td></tr>
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Who knows how long this trend will last, but I'm sure having a great time with them. The early fascination with air plants still lingers today and I continue to integrate them in a lot of my fun projects!<br />
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Have a look and tell me what you think!<br />
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I raided a friend's garden in Portland, OR and worked in a few Tillandsias in an arrangement I made for them</div>
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Marcia Donahue's "Narcissus ceramicus" flanked by succulents and more airplants!!</div>
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<br />Riz Reyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07706238373661664859noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766492831605819934.post-12488222480099440972013-09-03T19:13:00.000-07:002013-09-04T01:57:00.128-07:00Upcoming Events: Saturday, September 7thI feel silly promoting two events, both of which are happening at the same time, but both are awesome and well worth attending. If you can make it to both, then you're simply insane and I'll LOVE IT! Hahaha<br />
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So, the famed <a href="http://www.heronswood.com/">Heronswood</a> Nursery will be opening its gates for you all to see the wonderful progress being made to restore the grounds to its former splendor. This garden open will also showcase the wonderful specialty nurseries in our region that will come together and offer a wonderful assortment of exciting and rare plants that will be fully grown and ready to get established in your garden!<br />
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One of the vendors in attendance is someone I've been wanting to introduce you all to and is looking for some support for an upcoming PLANT COLLECTING EXPEDITION in China! Arlen Hill of <a href="http://www.keepingitgreennursery.com/">Keeping it Green Nursery</a> has been a regular participant in all the major plant sales and garden events the past few years! Specializing in native and rare exotics, he grows a wonderful assortment of specialty plants for not only collectors, but for avid enthusiasts who like to putter around the yard, but are seeking something unique and different. Arlen is a fellow "Next Generation Gardener" in his 30's and is an avid hiker and this will be his first foray into the wilds of China botanizing and collecting plants!<br />
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Visit his tables and check out his great plants and ask about how you can contribute towards this venture or if you can't make it, visit their website and you can make a contribution online!!!!!!!<br />
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Ok! And here's another event you'll also want to attend!! HAHAHAHA....<br />
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I'm giving at talk at the famous <a href="http://www.christiansonsnursery.com/">Christianson's Nursery</a> up in Mt. Vernon!! I ran into them at the Flower and Garden Show and seemed so stoked to have me come and give a talk!!!<br />
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I'll be presenting a talk about my travels, experiences and what I see is the future of gardening and horticulture and those who have inspired and mentored me and also those who are joining me as the next generation of gardeners!<br />
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I had a chance to visit this remarkable nursery this summer and was quite impressed at their gardens, their plant selection and the wonderful country feel walking through the grounds and greenhouses packed of wonderful goodies. I'm so looking forward to this talk and I hope enough people have signed up!!<br />
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I hate to have to choose, myself, but I kind of have to choose MYSELF to attend MY OWN talk! HAHAHA<br />
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Either way, you'll have a wonderful time, a great opportunity to learn and shop, but you might come home with a cool new plant if you attend my talk! HAHAHAH!!!<br />
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Cheers,<br />
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Riz<br />
Riz Reyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07706238373661664859noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766492831605819934.post-90845353705055498432013-09-01T11:51:00.001-07:002013-09-03T00:23:04.847-07:00Vashon Island Garden and Nursery ExcursionOur fun group of avid plantspeople gathered once again to spend a day and explore the gardening scene across the pond about a month ago. This time it was the island of Vashon.<br />
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Vashon Island is the largest island in Puget Sound and a 25 minute ferry ride from West Seattle. With mostly rural country living, those seeking quiet solitude and space in which to farm and garden will make Vashon home. It's certainly one of the best places to retire in our area, but many of its residents work in Seattle or Tacoma.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjucVkUj3ZlxPhVClRj4GsOK4WUlsF6pjIs7dUFk7_lh2HL5m7K5iscgE8oKDsbZremyHmWlyYJ16511dILOEHuy_FAa8jDkgxMZVfG27h_F9MYs-N9zypXt_6kzwWp5qEmm5784_Lj8MC6/s1600/IMG_2109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjucVkUj3ZlxPhVClRj4GsOK4WUlsF6pjIs7dUFk7_lh2HL5m7K5iscgE8oKDsbZremyHmWlyYJ16511dILOEHuy_FAa8jDkgxMZVfG27h_F9MYs-N9zypXt_6kzwWp5qEmm5784_Lj8MC6/s400/IMG_2109.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
We met up to see two private gardens and a destination nursery I've only heard about, but never had an opportunity to go. This has been such a remarkable summer. With no recordable amount of precipitation for the month of July, we've been blessed with sunshine, heat and, if you kept things watered, a lush garden such as this.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiadlLE33L_GWMOGlwlvwnG-Bx02NCdqh0hf-qNmBPbkvVrlP-kubSJPTwayJWKQqyg7yM4jkkJlBzk_09Yd3IAAl6Y7i4AS1p4TpnPR2QMdjYORs7qjwUBfePCy25sgwVgONjrpDs3360/s1600/IMG_2227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiadlLE33L_GWMOGlwlvwnG-Bx02NCdqh0hf-qNmBPbkvVrlP-kubSJPTwayJWKQqyg7yM4jkkJlBzk_09Yd3IAAl6Y7i4AS1p4TpnPR2QMdjYORs7qjwUBfePCy25sgwVgONjrpDs3360/s320/IMG_2227.JPG" width="320" /></a> Our team this time included a few members of our <a href="http://nextgenerationgardener.blogspot.com/2013/07/a-garden-lives-on-for-next-generation.html">Heronswood group this spring</a>: Meghan Fuller, Dustin Schulte, and <a href="http://www.growingsteady.com/">Justin Galicic</a>. We were joined my Preston Pew and Grace Hensley, two very talented individuals and plant lovers.<br />
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Dustin is actually a Vashon resident with his partner and we've been trying to find an opportunity to visit so we had the pleasure of checking out his property and work in progress. It was definitely a reality check just to see how much work goes into having a home and property in the island. While it may be peaceful, quiet, content with the potential for such a lavish landscape around you, the upkeep and maintenance involved is something most young couples are probably not prepared for, but they've tackled it and have made remarkable progress. It will be exciting to see them settle in and grow with the property. Dustin has his own garden maintenance firm called <a href="https://www.facebook.com/DandAFineGardens">D&A Gardens</a>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiyFg3l6Jk0nttmRk_MCbN2TvHdUeL53EAv-rVfvai_u0SvIyRSHk2rWgsS4WxVn8FqYtBdEvnOchGPgS3Qh7-P7izJ29BDgYv4oGvj0g-qPY-jCm1aoArkuhpdqCc02o4a4Rs5NwiSlz9/s1600/IMG_2189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiyFg3l6Jk0nttmRk_MCbN2TvHdUeL53EAv-rVfvai_u0SvIyRSHk2rWgsS4WxVn8FqYtBdEvnOchGPgS3Qh7-P7izJ29BDgYv4oGvj0g-qPY-jCm1aoArkuhpdqCc02o4a4Rs5NwiSlz9/s320/IMG_2189.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grace gives Meghan some tips on using her new camera</td></tr>
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Grace Hensley is a young woman who's gardening prowess and keen eye is no surprise in the Pacific Northwest gardening scene as her mother is the well know photographer, Lynne Harrison. Lynne has done the photography for numerous books including all of Dan Hinkley's titles and she continues to photograph and it's only natural that she share her talents with her young daughter. Grace has a fun blog called <a href="http://www.etilth.com/">eTilth</a> where you can see some of her wonderful photos and experiences as an urban gardener.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and I'm sure they took a much better photo of this stunning combination</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWs1bXlB4RbDaG70w4mR7MVFqM_VJw1zmzMgFs83BgUFaR2S4hmGtRtyd5BZr4i_niT9PgTWqY5uV_Ykm_qlaWV7A63AJjqxzkFSTZ8w8DT7-zJtvxdl-pHXO4TQ4K4R-gSPB-R6uDcTxe/s1600/IMG_2198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWs1bXlB4RbDaG70w4mR7MVFqM_VJw1zmzMgFs83BgUFaR2S4hmGtRtyd5BZr4i_niT9PgTWqY5uV_Ykm_qlaWV7A63AJjqxzkFSTZ8w8DT7-zJtvxdl-pHXO4TQ4K4R-gSPB-R6uDcTxe/s400/IMG_2198.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A stunning <i>Nicotiana</i> or Flowering Tobacco</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgth6rej3m6UwlTwaDIBnbm3-sEWsu30NA_mQmhzXtkCq42HmVfFw_5YAeRfXQVh_7QEzl9zvUwowVow-npiLnFtilppi-f3AphrOnzODPUnGVEnu-w6IXU0fDn8KTVIJvIQAkfnr0MgObn/s1600/IMG_2207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgth6rej3m6UwlTwaDIBnbm3-sEWsu30NA_mQmhzXtkCq42HmVfFw_5YAeRfXQVh_7QEzl9zvUwowVow-npiLnFtilppi-f3AphrOnzODPUnGVEnu-w6IXU0fDn8KTVIJvIQAkfnr0MgObn/s400/IMG_2207.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you tell what the soil pH might be?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqyFy0-iqTg1bwrSzDoAl8tH0Xfcj_C5zZCAnrD5sjMt1K1qm39Fca-aZghS3HQUd1qnI2QLeh5R23M8pbXH7Wnl4towZRDxgE0WbDPY7c_AqVYteOmOc_VJE-lWEwItt-0L4phxqWGrF7/s1600/IMG_2220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqyFy0-iqTg1bwrSzDoAl8tH0Xfcj_C5zZCAnrD5sjMt1K1qm39Fca-aZghS3HQUd1qnI2QLeh5R23M8pbXH7Wnl4towZRDxgE0WbDPY7c_AqVYteOmOc_VJE-lWEwItt-0L4phxqWGrF7/s400/IMG_2220.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The always lovely Hydrangea 'Izu No Hana'</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWCIzFNoILMIKjvwd8SBmoatINeVMruk0dZIIpwM831eLo1XHZbrdIvoYmPjfcEr3zP-qoKZBydQ2WIldZWRmrM1hqrNzhASe_pGZN9vPEEtx6pZJtywznflEjW6TZNLtaC1e7kWZPGNzR/s1600/IMG_2243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWCIzFNoILMIKjvwd8SBmoatINeVMruk0dZIIpwM831eLo1XHZbrdIvoYmPjfcEr3zP-qoKZBydQ2WIldZWRmrM1hqrNzhASe_pGZN9vPEEtx6pZJtywznflEjW6TZNLtaC1e7kWZPGNzR/s400/IMG_2243.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The second garden we visited has this incredible chess set integrated into their manicured lawn</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeqFBCnnoXcx43zzBJHYex-zo6BVtMaGZpOORSyrw4xsC7cEuAbME1g4fm4fnurgPA-kLmeGenY6aBpZokCZnPMYOS1bbk017__2GCEGJaDINeZgBgx54IqgxVPNqQZ0zeeuQaRmY2QhtY/s1600/IMG_2259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeqFBCnnoXcx43zzBJHYex-zo6BVtMaGZpOORSyrw4xsC7cEuAbME1g4fm4fnurgPA-kLmeGenY6aBpZokCZnPMYOS1bbk017__2GCEGJaDINeZgBgx54IqgxVPNqQZ0zeeuQaRmY2QhtY/s400/IMG_2259.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meghan enjoys the soft fragrance of <i>Phlox paniculata</i></td></tr>
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Finally, we went to grab food and later hit up <a href="http://dignursery.com/">DIG Nursery</a> where I finally had a chance to meet the lovely Sylvia Matlock. This nursery has always been known for their unique design ideas, fantastic containers and a plethora of unusual plants! We certainly came away with several purchases and we all chipped in for a gift certificate for Preston who was celebrating a birthday with us!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGiv7nlQHcM8MiOYhGh8TVm7s-88brabrI5UFwKTQa4PyOrk1olQDTya5DFpPK3qq0Sk4641YwOC2Debm-mWKlwkKLqEy7dRvyp32c8m59aaiKd8d4Vs_-ZJwDSPQjRHPphbpsjpF2ClJ2/s1600/IMG_2287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm5Hn-vlidEMwxjq4N7uejC3nEwYWw1WZeKuO7PZvFGAyklGV3JTn5UwRWAZo0Y3b_trq4Lf23zHLxPR1bo5Mh_GxyMHrFyWmJlPTIk7bTcAnhRe2BklCi_zAHnUNIDyUiICE9ZbEdZOBY/s1600/IMG_2290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm5Hn-vlidEMwxjq4N7uejC3nEwYWw1WZeKuO7PZvFGAyklGV3JTn5UwRWAZo0Y3b_trq4Lf23zHLxPR1bo5Mh_GxyMHrFyWmJlPTIk7bTcAnhRe2BklCi_zAHnUNIDyUiICE9ZbEdZOBY/s400/IMG_2290.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A creative idea using hardy succulents as a hanging orb</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpj6h2LoVo8sVLci2dwlwXWF9DA3TgzDvsxd7_TgfgF4qirsTSsOY5qkvpkJdFpeMBwx3a8RnAexoR8ChyO6lksmJx05ALFkYJUZoX1wxo9XbeI8x6VRMzR2VfYoYy_NLnDvU6gNVtnFhn/s1600/IMG_2294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpj6h2LoVo8sVLci2dwlwXWF9DA3TgzDvsxd7_TgfgF4qirsTSsOY5qkvpkJdFpeMBwx3a8RnAexoR8ChyO6lksmJx05ALFkYJUZoX1wxo9XbeI8x6VRMzR2VfYoYy_NLnDvU6gNVtnFhn/s400/IMG_2294.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meghan with a giant Angelica gigas!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTZcSihbdoc15nHiheNQehkwuH9svoyqCfcKr1eJM-OZZocANj-HA3HR_5mH-xEpy6Ek4tP6CB6yAj31XJOwC4oEoisWu5CiUIzf7qgbQI5A9NgLrbRRs4oK9l8QBoSKTMdmXomQrLFMNV/s1600/IMG_2308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTZcSihbdoc15nHiheNQehkwuH9svoyqCfcKr1eJM-OZZocANj-HA3HR_5mH-xEpy6Ek4tP6CB6yAj31XJOwC4oEoisWu5CiUIzf7qgbQI5A9NgLrbRRs4oK9l8QBoSKTMdmXomQrLFMNV/s400/IMG_2308.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Awesome gabion walls at the nursery entry!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0nuDXhn5oTpxkolwWeTPAfQGAyFiWyN6URYsOmqpYb56sHBlzp4oBX5AraNf0PaXmTHzyn7AaXMbLUoDG2wYYIQjqdu8ALE_MUmWLPNb1vjSmCmu-h5K6L2XGhvAlSe6zZi00mwxKYbw5/s1600/IMG_2324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0nuDXhn5oTpxkolwWeTPAfQGAyFiWyN6URYsOmqpYb56sHBlzp4oBX5AraNf0PaXmTHzyn7AaXMbLUoDG2wYYIQjqdu8ALE_MUmWLPNb1vjSmCmu-h5K6L2XGhvAlSe6zZi00mwxKYbw5/s400/IMG_2324.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eryngium agavifolium always looks striking backlit!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGiv7nlQHcM8MiOYhGh8TVm7s-88brabrI5UFwKTQa4PyOrk1olQDTya5DFpPK3qq0Sk4641YwOC2Debm-mWKlwkKLqEy7dRvyp32c8m59aaiKd8d4Vs_-ZJwDSPQjRHPphbpsjpF2ClJ2/s1600/IMG_2287.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGiv7nlQHcM8MiOYhGh8TVm7s-88brabrI5UFwKTQa4PyOrk1olQDTya5DFpPK3qq0Sk4641YwOC2Debm-mWKlwkKLqEy7dRvyp32c8m59aaiKd8d4Vs_-ZJwDSPQjRHPphbpsjpF2ClJ2/s400/IMG_2287.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One plant that caught my eye and had to ask about: Cyperus glaber. A striking texture!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ2TzC-VlXytlCgUpUgIFjIPQ4TiIBUgPuf1NTurPUJ7G49UYOHQn2JJnB1t96Vpw11dPSfwmsvU0_XaYY2dKVKbmsJOjJG11gM5q1gos8XiOUG29sG3IgnVaaEcPT11kLJ7Zmz-WYt3Ic/s1600/IMG_2313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ2TzC-VlXytlCgUpUgIFjIPQ4TiIBUgPuf1NTurPUJ7G49UYOHQn2JJnB1t96Vpw11dPSfwmsvU0_XaYY2dKVKbmsJOjJG11gM5q1gos8XiOUG29sG3IgnVaaEcPT11kLJ7Zmz-WYt3Ic/s400/IMG_2313.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Straight out of Jurassic Park or "The Lost Gardener", the best stand of Tetrapanax 'Steroidal Giant'!</td></tr>
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It's been such a treat to join these folks and marvel at the great gardens we've got here! There's still so much to explore around Vashon; I'm anxious to return!<br />
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<br />Riz Reyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07706238373661664859noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766492831605819934.post-79155731573909628352013-07-31T22:29:00.000-07:002013-07-31T22:29:48.230-07:00A banner year for lilies!!The genus Lilium is very near and dear to my heart. Ever since I bought a package of clearance bulbs when I was about 11 or 12 years old and flowered a potful of fragrant 'Stargazer' lilies, I was compelled and hooked. It was a plant that simply had it all! Easy, hardy, colorful, fragrant; it was easy to impress people with them!<br />
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Years later, I've acquired quite a collection of lilies and have learned so much about them. I often tell people that you're obsessed with a particular plant when you're breeding them and rescuing embryos in a laboratory to create complex hybrids. This was totally the case with me and lilies.<br />
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Our summer here in the Pacific Northwest truly was outstanding for lilies. Some are continuing to put on a show, but my goodness, the middle of July was absolute heaven!! Stems towered just a little higher with more vigor and bloom after fragrant bloom that was simply mesmerizing.<br />
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Here are some highlights from earliest to the ones currently still in bloom:<br />
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<b>ASIATICS:</b> Generally, the first of the lilies to flower each summer starting in late May into early July.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Lilium Dimension" height="320" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5447/9251989827_d3598dc4c9_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The almost black 'Dimesions'</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/9251991961/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Lilium Ariadne bloom detail by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Lilium Ariadne bloom detail" height="320" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7417/9251991961_303692fb88_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The dainty, but tough 'Ariadne'</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/9254772130/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Lilium Ariadne Group by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Lilium Ariadne Group" height="240" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7423/9254772130_8c2076e200_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and prolific too!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/7794019404/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Lilium 'Brushstokes' by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Lilium 'Brushstokes'" height="320" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8448/7794019404_23e56cbdff_n.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I adore these in arrangements! 'Brushstrokes'</td></tr>
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<b>A most unusual cross with an Easter Lily: Lilium 'Lankon' </b>is a hybrid between the dainty Lilium lankongense from China with Lilium longiflorum, the popular and well known Easter Lily. The Easter Lily is often grown and forced it bloom in April for the holiday, but its normal bloom time in the garden is about July. These two species are very distantly related and would never cross naturally with one another so through some elaborate laboratory techniques, the union was recognized and a strikingly spotted and unique hybrid was unveiled.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/9413980004/" title="IMG_1152 by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1152" height="320" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7315/9413980004_178c17a23f_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/9251961467/" title="Lilium Lankon beginning to open buds by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Lilium Lankon beginning to open buds" height="320" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2813/9251961467_73896949e2_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/9251958843/" title="Lilium
Lankon swan by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Lilium Lankon swan" height="240" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7327/9251958843_b26bda5edd_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/9413978414/" title="IMG_1169 by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1169" height="240" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2837/9413978414_371fd63bd8_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>OT's = Orienpets = Oriental x Trumpet Hybrids</b><br />
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More and more people are getting accustomed to seeing these remarkable hybrids nowadays. I can still remember when one bulb would cost about $60.00 and it seemed like the holy grail of lily breeding. Now the market is absolutely FLOODED with these hybrids.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/9411263715/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_1662 by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1662" height="240" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7417/9411263715_8de57d1e95_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An unintended plant combination with Monarda is 'Shocking'</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/9378795939/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Lilium Orienpet Hybrids by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Lilium Orienpet Hybrids" height="240" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5442/9378795939_a6c6a94a86_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The most voluptuous stems of 'Anastasia' in a private garden in Bellevue, WA </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/9414164984/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Untitled by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="239" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7387/9414164984_341af32487_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The stunning 'Conca d'Or' growing very well in a private garden in Bellevue, WA</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/9378787617/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Lilium Contrast with companions 1 by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Lilium Contrast with companions 1" height="320" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5529/9378787617_7d86180a1d_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Contrast' absolutely vigorous in a private garden in Seattle growing with Thalictrums, Alliums and Hydrangea aspera.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/9378772885/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Lilium Kushi Maya group 1 by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Lilium Kushi Maya group 1" height="240" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2865/9378772885_a6570f2be6_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The unique coloration and stunning fragrance of the rare 'Kushi Maya'</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/7683016470/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Lilium 'Silk Road' with Sidalcea by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Lilium 'Silk Road' with Sidalcea" height="320" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8431/7683016470_cbed9c8059_n.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Silk Road' in the background with Sidalcea in front</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/9411434875/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Lilium 'Miss Libby' by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Lilium 'Miss Libby'" height="240" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2870/9411434875_c0102c5fb5_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Miss Libby'</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/7794135124/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Lilium Blueberry Crush with Phlox Blue Paradise by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Lilium Blueberry Crush with Phlox Blue Paradise" height="240" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8448/7794135124_01c678cdf0_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Blueberry Crush' absolutely stunning with Phlox 'Blue Paradise'</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/7683010952/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Lilium 'Nymph' in Landwave Gardens by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Lilium 'Nymph' in Landwave Gardens" height="239" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7256/7683010952_6c69431818_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Nymph' with a glimpse of Landwave Gardens</td></tr>
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Double Freaks of Nature:<br />
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Boy, was I excited when the first double-flowered Oriental was introduced into the market just a few days ago. Now there are several out on the market, I still think they're just okay; they're more for the collector, I feel. Requiring heat and regular moisture to make sure the buds open properly, the double Orientals open slowly revealing no sexual parts as they've been morphed into extra tepals. So, there's no messy pollen and the fragrance is still very much that of all other Orientals. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/7794133416/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Lilium Magic Star by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Lilium Magic Star" height="240" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8308/7794133416_851078d266_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bizarrely different 'Magic Star'</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/9414146116/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Untitled by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="320" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2843/9414146116_ccf3cbd13a_n.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Miss Lucy' in an arrangement I assembled with a striking rex begonia leaf.</td></tr>
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This truly has been a superb summer in the garden and to have some of my favorite plants perform so well is just icing on the cake. If you could only see these blooms in person and experience the fragrance on some of these, you'll absolutely be amazed as well.<br />
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<br />Riz Reyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07706238373661664859noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766492831605819934.post-85727066891411961222013-07-28T02:10:00.000-07:002013-07-28T02:16:42.042-07:00The Floral Masters: Reconnecting with the growers and meeting Francoise Weeks<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/9381630850/" title="Jello Mold Black Night profile by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Jello Mold Black Night profile" height="375" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5513/9381630850_66b83b06e6.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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Re-igniting my fondness and passion for arranging flowers these last two years has been quite a ride. The many wonderful people I've met and the various events I've been able to do flowers for have been experiences I'll forever take with me and the season's not even over yet! I've got at least two more weddings this year and I've been seriously thinking about adding this work to my already jammed-packed repertoire of services offered. And I'm seriously thinking......be careful. LOL!<br />
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What brought me back to arranging flowers intensely was the simply fact that playing with flowers, local flowers from my own gardens, was becoming more recognized and the stories of small farmers/growers was something I related to and found inspiring. Thanks to Debra Prinzing and David Perry's fantastic book, <a href="http://the50milebouquet.com/">"The 50-Mile Bouquet"</a> followed up by Debra's <a href="http://www.debraprinzing.com/category/slow-flowers-52-weeks/">"Slow Flowers"</a>, the arrangements I did for events at work or for my own enjoyment at home suddenly had value and meaning. <br />
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One grower I met and instantly clicked with was Diane Szukovathy of <a href="http://www.jellomoldfarm.com/">Jello Mold Farm</a>. You might remember I paid her a visit in Spring of 2012 with some friends and learned about the basics of sustainable cut flower production. This mighty power-house of energy, knowledge and business sense is at it full speed with her partner Denis, who helps in every aspect of their remarkable operation.<br />
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It was definitely a treat to visit again during the peak of bloom and harvest:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/9378776091/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Jello Mold Terry and Eric with Scabiosa by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Jello Mold Terry and Eric with Scabiosa" height="240" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5342/9378776091_5b706cfcf4_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>Scoping out a remarkable crop of<i> Scabiosa atropurpurea</i> 'Black Knight'/'Ace of Hearts'</u></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/9381560412/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Jello Mold Bouquet Composition in field by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Jello Mold Bouquet Composition in field" height="320" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2866/9381560412_82c12484c5_n.jpg" width="221" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>Walking down the rows with stunning roses underplanted with <i>Nigella</i> or Love-In-The-Mist. Looks stunning together</u></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/9306382184/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Untitled by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="239" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7305/9306382184_7a1b1b03fe_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>A personal favorite both in the garden and vase, <i>Echinops ritro</i> or the Blue Globe Thistle</u></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/9381629996/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Jello Mold Cafe Au Lait by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Jello Mold Cafe Au Lait" height="240" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3805/9381629996_259f119833_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>Their most precious and lucrative crop (when earwigs haven't eaten the petals) is this elegant Dahlia called 'Cafe Au Lait'. It's said to be the most asked for flower by brides who see it in all the magazines. </u></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/9381625702/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Jello Mold Farm View by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Jello Mold Farm View" height="375" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3831/9381625702_dc75c2bca1.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view of the Cascade Range in the background as Jello Mold Farms erupts into bloom!</td></tr>
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So if you take these flowers and have them assembled by artists, you instantly have an endeavor that's so rewarding and absolutely state-of-the-art. One such floral artist is the very well known, Francoise Weeks, who I had the GREAT pleasure of meeting during a recent trip down to Portland.<br />
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<a href="http://francoiseweeks.com/">Visit Francoise's website</a> and blog. It truly is remarkable what she's been able to create, but what's most inspiring is Francoise herself. From the moment she walked down her driveway to greet me, she was all smiles and warmly welcomed me to her studio.<br />
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And what a studio:<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/9378790625/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Weeks Workshop table by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Weeks Workshop table" height="240" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2878/9378790625_5cb2b5bcc0.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
I was actually kind of surprised that she even had time to meet with me since it is wedding season and all. I was simply in awe just walking into this room and seeing for myself the exquisite work that she does.<br />
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Francoise had just completed a project and a collaboration with a professional photographer who captured these most unusual headpieces worn by models for a photo shoot worthy of a fashion magazine cover! Check out <a href="http://francoiseweeks.com/2013/07/new-botanical-headpieces-and-masks/">her blog about these pieces</a> and, of course, the resulting photographs!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/9378797327/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Gloriosa Head Piece by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Gloriosa Head Piece" height="500" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5525/9378797327_327119716c.jpg" width="375" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An elaborate headpiece composed of Abutilon, Gloriosa lilies, and a few begonia leaves in the rear</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/9381586062/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Garden Mix Head Piece by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Garden Mix Head Piece" height="500" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3775/9381586062_5f7213fb15.jpg" width="375" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The best thing about her designs are the sheer number of botanical wonders she integrates into her work. Talk about detail, color, form and textures!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/9378801591/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Begonia Mask by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Begonia Mask" height="375" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2810/9378801591_9032c92b0c.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A truly captivating mask using the absolute perfect variety of Rex Begonia!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/9381577870/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Succulent Mask by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Succulent Mask" height="375" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2894/9381577870_610c08d91e.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another mask, this time with a wide assortment of succulents all carefully glued on.</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/9381579206/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="IMG_1890 by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1890" height="240" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5515/9381579206_64d12c2257_n.jpg" width="320" /></a>I would love to take part in one of <a href="http://atelierfrancoise.com/">her workshops</a> and learn techniques to improve my own work. As brilliant as she is, she is also very kind, informative, and very generous woman. Scoffing at trends, making time to explore and share her knowledge and creativity, and having a love and respect for the medium she uses to create, Francoise is definitely someone the next generation can look up to.<br />
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<br />Riz Reyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07706238373661664859noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766492831605819934.post-7052626153218336092013-07-28T00:49:00.000-07:002013-07-28T02:15:44.302-07:00Growing Steady: A young plantsman's garden openIt's pretty amazing to know that I'm truly not alone in my quest for new, rare and unusual plants. A few weeks back, a fellow "Next Generation Gardener" opened his garden for his neighborhood to see and I was fortunate to have been able to help out and attend.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/9254755064/" title="IMG_1188 by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1188" height="375" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5543/9254755064_9d3cf71949.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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If people were worried about the future of ornamental home gardening, they should meet and see the garden of Justin Galicic in Normandy Park, just south of Seattle and west of SeaTac Airport. This guy's plant collection is absolutely superb and what's most remarkable about his space is he's pretty much designed and built most of the paths and structures that hold the landscape together and selected plants that represent the wide palette that we're capable of growing here.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/9251976907/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Galicic Garden Tropical Pool by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Galicic Garden Tropical Pool" height="240" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2813/9251976907_ef65571406.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Justin is in his early 30's and actually made a sound decision of not taking on horticulture as a career. Hehehe<br />
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In a way, it's kind of nice to have a main profession (he's an elementary school music teacher) and garden as a pure hobby. In five short years, he's been able to create a garden so lush and complete with various rooms and features that avid gardeners all around simply marvel at.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/9251975249/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="Galicic Garden White Arbor by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Galicic Garden White Arbor" height="240" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2858/9251975249_7314f91947_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
What's most remarkable about this garden is the fact that it's only 5 years old. It truly is amazing what he's done: From the sidewalk tropical garden filled with Dahlias, Cannas, various grasses and various other fine and bold textures, you can't help but stare in amazement and from a designer's perspective, it all flows and works very well together. I'd say he's done a better job than some other well known designers out there!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/9251978525/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Galicic Garden Shade Path by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Galicic Garden Shade Path" height="240" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5477/9251978525_7fca717d67_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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He's got just about every type of garden he's got room for. Full sun tropical borders, a shade woodland, a warm desert region with hardy palms and succulents, a most striking water feature, the elaborate and productive vegetable garden, and a very effective and carefully maintained lawn to rest the eye and be used by family and friends for recreation.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/9254761368/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Galicic Garden setting up chairs by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Galicic Garden setting up chairs" height="300" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7377/9254761368_3aaeabaf85.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>It's also a great space to have an audience and have speakers such as Dan Hinkley and Kelly Dodson present talks.</u></td></tr>
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Justin writes a blog called <a href="http://www.growingsteady.com/">"Growing Steady"</a> and is truly a young gardener you want to follow as his projects seem endless and plant buying non-stop!! I look forward to seeing him and his garden develop.<br />
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<br />Riz Reyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07706238373661664859noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766492831605819934.post-69464700298989695832013-07-05T00:00:00.001-07:002013-07-05T00:00:27.556-07:00A garden lives on for the next generation: Heronswood OpenThis weekend marks the 2nd open house for the world-renowned Heronswood garden in Kingston, WA.<br />
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Once a famous nursery introducing some of the newest, most unusual garden plants from around the world, it is now in the hands of the native S'Klallam Tribe who are preserving the garden and its botanical treasures.<br />
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Created and planted by plantsman extraordinaire, Dan Hinkley, with his partner, Robert Jones in the 1980's, it brought it thousands of gardening enthusiasts world wide, the gardens are being restored with their guidance and input and we are fortunate to have an opportunity to visit a landscape that ignited many people's, including my own, passion for plants and gardens.<br />
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So, I got together a team of young friends and avid plant lovers who have never been to Heronswood and made a day of it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/8757438684/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Heronswood Sales and Parked Cars by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Heronswood Sales and Parked Cars" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8127/8757438684_6053c202f6.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We
arrived to hoards of crowds ready to shop from top specialty vendors
including Dan Hinkley's selections from his garden Windcliff.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/8757439556/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Heronswood Garden Entry by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Heronswood Garden Entry" height="375" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2825/8757439556_97be488810.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entering the woodland was absolutely a memorable experience as you noticed one exotic plant after another, left and right.</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/8757407148/" title="Walking to Woodland by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Walking to Woodland" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7331/8757407148_ca525e35e5.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/8757429258/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Meghan in Woodland by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Meghan in Woodland" height="375" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2868/8757429258_6ca64d0586.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fellow garden professional, Meghan Fuller, was simply taken away by the incredible plant palette.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/8757437472/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Justin observing beds by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Justin observing beds" height="375" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2859/8757437472_1e41209ff8.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From shade to sun, it has got it all. The former residence had wonderful entry gardens and the rarest of the rare.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/8756282317/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Tree Ferns near bog by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Tree Ferns near bog" height="375" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2814/8756282317_9c97eba5d6.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With various microclimates that exist, even these luscious tree ferns absolutely thrive!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/8756324361/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Entry into pottage by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Entry into pottage" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7417/8756324361_d245eb076a.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The formal layout of clipped box makes this edible garden absolutely gorgeous.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/8757428304/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Meghan shows fern by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Meghan shows fern" height="375" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5341/8757428304_62dcfa47a4.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Young friends learn about the details of a fern. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/8756325277/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="English Border 2 by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="English Border 2" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8415/8756325277_47c056bb84.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Being that it was only May, the gardens, especially these stunning mixed borders, were just starting to put on a show!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/8757458812/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Carpinus hedge and arbor with container focal point by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Carpinus hedge and arbor with container focal point" height="375" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2835/8757458812_2b55332674.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The famous Hornbeam hedges and archways were absolutely stunning and leafed out to perfection.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/8757467982/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Admiring Tetracentron sinensis by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Admiring Tetracentron sinensis" height="500" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2888/8757467982_376ff1c5fa.jpg" width="375" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Admiring the fine details of the rare Tetracentron sinensis.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/8757425758/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Mixed beds with weeping birch in background by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Mixed beds with weeping birch in background" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7415/8757425758_73166e1c8f.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The garden is still chock full of lessons in design; composition, use of color and focal points, etc. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/8757450194/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Ferns through hostas by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Ferns through hostas" height="400" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7289/8757450194_d34e398df5.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's all still a work in progress to get it back to its full glory, but there's still glimpses of brilliance and ingenuity.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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So there's another open coming up this Saturday, July 6, 2013 and you can learn more about it on their website: <a href="http://www.heronswood.com/">www.heronswood.com</a><br />
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Bring your wallet for the most remarkable line-up of plant vendors and I'm sure the garden has gotten even more spectacular since this past trip!<br />
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Not only did I get to see Heronswood again, it meant so much to be joined by friends who are avid gardeners and share in the same line of work and are simply passionate about what they do. I'm glad I'm not alone in this endeavor!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/8757440458/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Group Photo by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Group Photo" height="375" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3792/8757440458_77af855b14.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Justin Galicic, Terry Huang, me, Meghan Fuller, & Dustin Schulte</td></tr>
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Thanks for the group pic, Mary! =)<br />
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<br />Riz Reyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07706238373661664859noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766492831605819934.post-81176621413647216162013-06-23T00:57:00.000-07:002013-06-24T01:01:02.685-07:00The Birthday Week - Hardy Plant Study Weekend, Vancouver, B.C.What an exhausting, but fun and productive summer it's been so far!<br />
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As of Wednesday, Jun 19, 2013, I'm 31 years old and this next generation gardener has been busy busy busy!
Last weekend, I had the fortune of getting a last minute registration for the Hardy Plant Study Weekend up in Vancouver, B.C. It sold out quickly and it didn't even occur to me until a colleague asked if I was staying in the dormitories at UBC (University of British Columbia). Lucky for me, I have family up in Vancouver, one of my most favorite cities in the world, that I was able to stay with should I get picked from the waiting list.<br />
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I was thrilled to have taken part and even more excited of the many people, many who I've never met, come and greet me! A handful congratulated me for the display garden at the Northwest Flower and Garden Show and then a handful of folks, who heard that I'd be speaking for their Hardy Plant group this autumn, were so delighted to meet me. Not gonna lie, it almost felt a little like being a celebrity. It felt so good to know that people knew who you were and were excited to learn more.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Plant Sale Area" height="300" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5524/9107143810_09ccd8c008.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The vendors for the 2013 Hardy Plant Study Weekend</td></tr>
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Yet again, I was the "kid" in the auditorium where the lectures were held.
It was these study weekends that really brought landscape design to life for me. I remember many years ago when I first attended one as a teenager at the University of Washington and getting a scholarship to take part in the study weekend and open gardens. I didn't have my drivers license yet and I remember getting rides to the open gardens and truly getting a feel for what was horticulturally possible here and the extravagance many landscapes possessed.
It is my hope that other young garden/plant enthusiast would get this kind of experience and mentoring. The main demographic of this group is getting older and it becomes harder and harder to take part in all the garden tours, sales, and other events on the horticultural calendar. It also doesn't help that some events take place when we young ones have to work and make a living. =(<br />
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As a "veteran" of the study weekend, I felt energized and ready to make another impression in some ways. The plant sales were absolutely fantastic and they were even set up for exporting the plants back to the United States with Department of Agriculture officials issuing phytosanitary certificates! I showed great restraint and did not buy one plant! I know...I know.... <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/9107152782/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Mens Restroom Flowers by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Mens Restroom Flowers" height="300" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2831/9107152782_e3d612221a.jpg" width="400" /></a></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You knew you were in the right place as even the men's restroom was decorated with fresh cuts!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/9107140302/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Riz and John Massey by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Riz and John Massey" height="300" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3675/9107140302_92754cdda6.jpg" width="400" /></a>The line-up of speakers was top notch as it usually is. I had the fortune of meeting Mr. <a href="http://www.ashwoodnurseries.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=485&Itemid=59">John Massey</a> who runs the infamous <a href="http://www.ashwoodnurseries.com/">Ashwood Nurseries</a> in the UK, who are know for their remarkable Hellebores, Hepaticas, and other rare and unusual selections and also great garden plants. He gave a fantastic talk about his garden and the lessons he's learned in each season of gardening and on the last day, he spoke on the breeding work they do and the advancements they've made. Truly inspiring and a most hilarious speaker as his nerves quickly turned into a charming charisma once he got his laser pointer under control! I ran into him at an open garden and introduced himself. So on my next adventure to the UK, I must pay him a visit and see his incredible work in person!</div>
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It was so great running into friends at these events. It was an opportunity to catch up with people and also team up with those with cars who had an open seat when it came to visiting the regions many fine gardens.</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/9104931311/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="Meghan and Colleen embrace by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Meghan and Colleen embrace" height="240" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7313/9104931311_b7b95be981_n.jpg" width="320" /></a>I ran into fellow plant nut and garden designer, Meghan Fuller (left) who was joined by avid gardening enthusiast, Colleen Gray. They happen to have an extra seat and kindly let me join them during the tours. We were probably the youngest attendees there and it was nice to have company who were so easy going and so very enthusiastic!<br />
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We were all certainly in for a treat and, boy, were the gardens ever so manicured to perfection. It was remarkable to see the diverse styles and different scales and approaches to gardening in Vancouver, B.C.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Back Lawn" height="300" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7314/9104968695_783653c128_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some gardens were simple and comfortable</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Bedding with stone pavers" height="300" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2829/9104966709_8e6db91780_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some were just jammed packed with color, texture, and precision in mind.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="IMG_0504" height="300" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5505/9104945131_c3eac1d9dd_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some gardens were just unbelievable and ridiculously wealthy with amazing views.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/9107135112/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Summer Border by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Summer Border" height="300" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2849/9107135112_092b33ac7d.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For me, it's always about the plants, the combinations and how they're utilized to define space.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/9107137380/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Slope Planting for scale by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Slope Planting for scale" height="300" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2886/9107137380_5e45b3910e.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And to see the scale and diversity of Pacific Northwest horticulture.</td></tr>
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Here were some lovely plant combinations<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/9107201130/" title="Astrantia with Angelica by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Astrantia with Angelica" height="400" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3741/9107201130_c2a206ce29.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/9107163938/" title="Light blue and silver combination by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Light blue and silver combination" height="400" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5506/9107163938_1b7787095d.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/9107188606/" title="Corydalis and Geum by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Corydalis and Geum" height="400" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2818/9107188606_f5a666e03d.jpg" width="300" /> </a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/9104975303/" title="Allium with Physocarpus 1 by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Allium with Physocarpus 1" height="400" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3821/9104975303_20d42fa9fa.jpg" width="300" /></a> <br />
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Probably the most spectacular and inspiring garden had to be this striking landscape<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/9104955737/" title="Curved Paths by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Curved Paths" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7444/9104955737_bf25a9c619.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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I'm normally not a fan of large lawn space, but there's something about how this was design that just drew you in and you know that there was more to see beyond, but you had to take your time to admire the plant collections and all the subtleties that were so carefully planted.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/9104953675/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Gentiana asclepiadae with lawn background by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Gentiana asclepiadae with lawn background" height="400" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3676/9104953675_625edd2f80.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just imagine the striking blue flowers of the willow gentian (Gentiana asclepidaea) with the Japanese Forest Grass!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/9104961251/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Cardiocrinum giganteum v. yunnanense by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Cardiocrinum giganteum v. yunnanense" height="400" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5340/9104961251_8e476e453c.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Becoming more readily available, this stunning Cardiocrinum gigantuem v. yunnanese was wonderful!</td></tr>
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Of course, a trip up to Vancouver wouldn't be a complete trip without a visit to Van Dusen Botanical Garden!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/9107130532/" title="Van Dusen building by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Van Dusen building" height="375" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2809/9107130532_0b0baf8eb9.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/9107178666/" title="Golden Roses with Nepeta 2 by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Golden Roses with Nepeta 2" height="375" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5470/9107178666_9f485c0058.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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It was a very short visit to Van Dusen as I had to rush to join the ladies for dinner! LOL <br />
Yes, there are food pics!<br />
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<br />Riz Reyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07706238373661664859noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766492831605819934.post-84961700203294375612013-05-20T01:46:00.001-07:002013-05-20T01:46:41.387-07:00Farm Fresh: Spring Wedding Flowers Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Just a few weeks after Annie and Erika's wedding, I was back at the market and contacting growers once again for my friend, Karina's, wedding.</div>
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I've known Karina since high school where we met working in food service at a local retirement home. She's not your typical bride as she doesn't get caught up with the excitement of flowers or any sort of elaborate wedding planning. Part of her just wanted the formalities of the wedding to be done with. While other brides choose themes, colors, and work out every detail possible by themselves or with their wedding planner, Karina just put her trust to her friends who have offered to help and with a tight budget, it was certainly challenging, but we made it work.<br />
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When I sat down with Karina and her then fiance, Dustin, she really wanted daffodils in her bouquet. Sadly, I had to inform her that daffodils would be done by her May wedding. A few days before the big day, I had dinner with the bride and groom and our friends, Michelle and Molly, who by coincidence, are also getting married this year and have asked me to do their flowers as well. YIKES!<br />
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I was running a bit late, but I wanted to give Karina a "pre-wedding bouquet" so she would get a sense of a style that I was leaning towards. To my surprise, these were in bloom:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://store.brentandbeckysbulbs.com/products/01-0901-M-1143137273.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://store.brentandbeckysbulbs.com/products/01-0901-M-1143137273.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Narcissus</i> 'Actaea' ( A poeticus type)</td></tr>
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The poeticus Narcissus are the last to flower for the season and even thought they weren't the quintessential yellow many would expect from a daffodil, they still make a statement and the rich scent they exude just added something very special to a hand-tied bouquet I created utilizing various ingredients from outside the garden. She didn't believe they were daffodils, but she still enjoyed my creation. Karina is a fairly simple and straightforward gal who, much like Annie and Erika, don't want to go overboard with decorations and such.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/8734992386/" title="Karina's Pre-Wedding Bouquet by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Karina's Pre-Wedding Bouquet" height="320" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7302/8734992386_b02294b014_n.jpg" width="239" /> </a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/8734992930/" title="Karina with Pre-Wedding Bouquet by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Karina with Pre-Wedding Bouquet" height="320" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7297/8734992930_596207041f_n.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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As I presented her this bouquet, I had something else in mind for her eventual bouquet that would, once again, utilize the wonderful Ranunculus field fresh from Everyday Flowers at the Seattle Wholesale Grower's Market! Her colors are buttered popcorn yellow, navy blue and ivory.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/8690855394/" title="Untitled by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="374" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7044/8690855394_544e7634ce.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/8733875177/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="Karina Dustin Flower Prep Ranunculus and Anemones by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Karina Dustin Flower Prep Ranunculus and Anemones" height="320" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7298/8733875177_3f846dc993_n.jpg" width="239" /></a>Vivian delivered the most wonderful Ranunculus and her Anemones were absolutely stunning! I was telling Karina about these and she will now and forever call them "REDUNCULUS"! When I went to the grower's market, I was treated to a surprise and saw the same Poeticus Narcissus being offered by the bundles from Choice Bulb Farms in Mt. Vernon as well!<br />
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So, I went right to work just as soon as I got everything I needed. I'm getting better at being organized when I do my flowers; it helps to really lay them out individually so one can just grab a stem with ease as they bring it all together. <br />
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My last stop for flowers and greens was my own garden where Lily of the Valley was in peak bloom. I harvested as much as I could.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/8733880365/" title="Karina Dustin Flower Prep 2 by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Karina Dustin Flower Prep 2" height="374" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7315/8733880365_5fe3ba26c1.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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So, here's what I was able to pull together. I actually made three bouquets for Karina to choose from:<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/8733879051/" title="Karina Dustin Flower Prep Bouquet 1 by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Karina Dustin Flower Prep Bouquet 1" height="240" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7286/8733879051_9dc725c264_m.jpg" width="179" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/8734991202/" title="Karina's Wedding Bouquet by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"> <img alt="Karina Dustin Flower Prep Bouquet 2" height="240" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7305/8734997286_fa9395f04f_m.jpg" width="179" /> <img alt="Karina's Wedding Bouquet" height="240" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7314/8734991202_3d3497edab_m.jpg" width="179" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/8734997286/" title="Karina Dustin Flower Prep Bouquet 2 by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/8733879051/" title="Karina Dustin Flower Prep Bouquet 1 by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/8734997286/" title="Karina Dustin Flower Prep Bouquet 2 by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><br /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/8734985292/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Michelle Bridesmaids Bouquet by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Michelle Bridesmaids Bouquet" height="320" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7293/8734985292_b8eba227b0_n.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michelle holding a bouquet as one of the bridesmaids</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/8733875721/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Karina Dustin Flower Prep Corsage 1 by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Karina Dustin Flower Prep Corsage 1" height="320" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7319/8733875721_cd313ba315_n.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The corsage for the parents</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/8734996038/" title="Karina Dustin Flower Prep Boutonierre 2 by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Karina Dustin Flower Prep Boutonierre 2" height="240" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7322/8734996038_aa8f178905_m.jpg" width="179" /> </a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/8733877733/" title="Karina Dustin Flower Prep Boutonierre 1 by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Karina Dustin Flower Prep Boutonierre 1" height="240" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7299/8733877733_38114268a4_m.jpg" width="179" /></a></div>
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And the boutonnieres for the groom and groomsmen. </div>
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The venue was at the infamous Museum of Flight in one of their conference rooms that needed a bit of sprucing up so I took my leftover flowers and foliage to create a few more pieces.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/8733871733/" title="KD Cake Table by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="KD Cake Table" height="320" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7318/8733871733_c4296fec0f_n.jpg" width="239" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/8734973124/" title="KD Centerpieces by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="KD Centerpieces" height="320" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7298/8734973124_f9e6002baf_n.jpg" width="229" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/8733858827/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Riz and Karina by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Riz and Karina" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7284/8733858827_8f8b00dfd8.jpg" width="374" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's such a great feeling to see a beautiful bride walk down the aisle with something you created specially for her.</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/8734991202/" title="Karina's Wedding Bouquet by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><br /></a>Riz Reyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07706238373661664859noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766492831605819934.post-87377561858823431662013-05-14T06:00:00.000-07:002013-05-20T01:35:08.781-07:00Farm Fresh: Spring Weddings Flowers Part 1Since <a href="http://nextgenerationgardener.blogspot.com/2012/09/a-late-summer-wedding.html">Katharine and Scott's wedding last summer</a> in Seabrook, WA. I've been inspired more than ever to help friends with their wedding flowers and I've been gaining the confidence to churn out creations that people enjoy and are amazed by as long as they're okay with me using what's in my yard, their yards, what's in season and in a valiant attempt to visit and support local specialty growers, their remarkable and interesting crops, I hope, to use as well!<br />
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My first wedding flower gig this season is for my co-worker Annie and her longtime partner, Erika. With the passing of<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Referendum_74"> Referendum 74</a> here in Washington State that allows same-sex couples to finally be married and have it be acknowledged by the state, it was a HUGE honor to have been asked to do their flowers.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/8690851858/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Untitled by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="320" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7052/8690851858_7420c08c39_n.jpg" width="239" /></a>One of the biggest trends in weddings these days is the whole DIY concept in keeping costs down. It can be affordable, but the time and labor involved can easily stress and frustrate those who take it on. Knowing Annie and Erika, they're not at all about extravagance, they simply wanted the very basic and they wanted to use plants and flowers from their own garden that they grew. So, my challenge was to stay true to their simple requests: a bouquet for Erika, a boutonniere for Annie, their son Anders, and corsages and boutonniere for the parents and center pieces for the tables and just a few random arrangements here and there to decorate and enhance the venue.<br />
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Having been playing around with arrangements all winter, the spring push opened up a whole new palette of wonderful garden plants that would be wonderful for their wedding. With Annie being an avid gardener herself, "Why not just cut from the garden?!".<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/8690853548/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Untitled by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="374" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7053/8690853548_f30f1fdaf5.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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So I went at it with buckets and just gathered as much material that I thought would hold up. Fantastic Solomon's seal (<i>Polygonatum sp</i>), <i>Helleborus</i> x <i>hybridus</i> just reaching the stage where they're best cut, assorted greens, and even the horribly weedy spanish bluebells inspired some color and held up alright "as a cut"<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/8690854160/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="Untitled by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="213" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7044/8690854160_6237cc4f1a_n.jpg" width="320" /></a>The <a href="http://seattlewholesalegrowersmarket.com/">Seattle Wholesale Grower's Market</a> in the Industrial District of the Emerald City has been such a delight to visit each and every time I come in. Having made many contacts and close friends and colleagues through the likes of author Debra Prinzing, photographer David Perry, and Diane Szukovathy of<a href="http://www.jellomoldfarm.com/"> Jello Mold Farms</a>, I'm as giddy as a kid in a candy store looking forward to what the growers have brought in and to be greeted by smiles and hugs when I visit just makes me realize how much I love what I do. Floral designer and aspiring cut-flower grower, <b>Nicole Cordier</b>, is the main woman behind the desk handling orders and greeting customers. I adore her enthusiasm for unique plant materials and it's so easy to just hang around and chat flowers and the future of the industry. Not only is she a next generation gardener, she could be a next generation GROWER! The beauty of all this is the fact that we're not alone in our endeavors. I've met three other young ladies in just the past year who have their sights set on growing cut flowers and I'm anxious to see if their strong interest carries them through the ups and downs of a very challenging industry. <br />
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So, for Annie and Erika's wedding, I proposed that we use soft orange Ranunculus and blue grape hyacinths. As for arrangements, they were very open to ideas and expressed their love of lilacs so I grabbed a large bunch along with some fantastic, young snowball viburnums that were still a light moss green that contrast with the deep violet color. These were grown by Oregon Coastal Flowers who have a regular stand at the Seattle Wholesale Grower's Market. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/8689725667/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Untitled by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="239" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8535/8689725667_bac6c480f8_n.jpg" width="320" /></a>For the orange ranunculus, Nicole directed me to Ms. Vivian Larson of Everyday Flowers who was their Ranunculus and Anemone specialist and I was able to get in touch with her to place a special order for 50 stems of orange ranunculus. By coincidence, her Standwood farm was actually on the way to the wedding venue in Camano Island and I has asked if I could pick up my order and also see her growing operation!!!!!!So yeah....good times...good times!! She was so kind and enthusiastic and I admired her work ethic and remarkable quality flowers as she toured me through her hoop houses and her fields in the picturesque Skagit Valley<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/8689728693/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Untitled by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="374" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8537/8689728693_a73dee470a.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/8690838954/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Untitled by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="320" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7052/8690838954_e735a17cd7_n.jpg" width="239" /></a>I couldn't help but marvel at the incredible and painstaking work involved in producing these cut blooms. I also had to get some fabulous <i>Cerinthe purpurescens</i>, which she cut for me right then and there! Talk about fresh from the field!!<br />
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With my floral-mobile set, I gave Vivian a hug and gave her my sincerest thanks and off I went to Camano Island to quickly put wedding flowers together.<br />
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I was actually surprised that the scent of lilacs wasn't too overpowering. Combined that with wonderful lily-of-the-valley, it was simply heaven! It felt so good to have had the opportunity to gather all these plants, meet the people who tended and raised them and now comes the part where it all comes together to celebrate a union that's been a long time coming!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/8689712435/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Untitled by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="374" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7044/8689712435_bd7f76548b.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/8689710635/" title="Untitled by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="320" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7045/8689710635_3cfa1d76a8_n.jpg" width="239" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/8689713895/" title="Untitled by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="320" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7049/8689713895_ab28b778ae_n.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/8690777334/" title="Wedding Flowers 2 by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Wedding Flowers 2" height="328" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7046/8690777334_9564005383.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/8690777924/" title="Wedding Flowers 1 by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Wedding Flowers 1" height="380" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7043/8690777924_e46a8954d1.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/8689660737/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Centerpiece with Fern Fronds by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Centerpiece with Fern Fronds" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7048/8689660737_40a1b93750.jpg" width="375" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With the help of the family, they arranged the centerpieces and did a great job!</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/8689659783/" title="Erika Riz Annie crop 1 by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Erika Riz Annie crop 1" height="387" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8258/8689659783_3a0530e383.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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After a wonderful and emotional ceremony, I was greeting with compliments and "thank yous" from so many people and I was so thrilled that they were pleased with the result. Probably the most meaningful comment someone said to me was, "You did a great job. This is so Annie and Erika!"<br />
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Riz<br />
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<br />Riz Reyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07706238373661664859noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766492831605819934.post-83363561990373669612013-05-02T01:00:00.001-07:002013-05-02T01:00:15.800-07:00Losing a member of our PNW gardening communityI've written and raved about Steamboat Island Nursery near Olympia, WA a few years back when I came down to pay the lovely Laine McLaughlin a visit. It was with great sadness, however, to learn that her partner in crime, Duane Heier, tragically passed away a few weeks ago in a light rail-train accident in Seattle. <br />
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I didn't know Duane very well, but he was the kind of man that was obviously hard-working, very kind, and would do anything for Laine and the work involved keeping up with one of the most prominent specialty nurseries in the Puget Sound region.<br />
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Duane was the delivery guy, the re-stocker, the waterer; all the things that needed to be done, he did and he did so with kindness and patience. One of my colleagues had said that he was easy going and so much involved in the business of growing and selling plants, yet he wasn't a plant-person at all.<br />
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It has been awhile since I saw Laine and to hear the news of his passing was just unreal. I'm so used to seeing Laine so upbeat and bubbly and she has the biggest smile each time she says "Hey, ________! How ya doin?"<br />
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I just hope that working in her garden/nursery again provides some therapy, while, I'm sure, it brings back a flood of memories of her and Duane. <br />
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Ian Barclay of<a href="http://desertnw.wordpress.com/"> Desert Northwest </a>blogged about Duane's passing and provided some links and numbers for us to possibly help out Laine during this very difficult time.<br />
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<b>Donations directly to <i>Steamboat Island Nursery</i>:</b><br />
8424 Steamboat Island Road, Olympia, WA 98502.<br />
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<b>An account to cover funeral
costs was created at <i>Twin Star Credit Union</i>, </b><br />
P.O. Box 718, Olympia, WA
98507-0718.<br />
Checks should be made to “Laine McLaughlin” and the memo
line should say “Duane Heier” and account #411133-00.”<br />
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If you want to
talk donations, or donate cash, talk to Jay Higgins at
<a href="mailto:3heartsas1@gmail.com">3heartsas1@gmail.com</a> You can also send messages to Laine directly to the
nursery email: <a href="mailto:steamboat@olywa.net">steamboat@olywa.net</a><br />
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Rest in Peach, Duane. Do watch over Laine and trust that we're all looking after her.<br />
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Riz<br />
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Riz Reyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07706238373661664859noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766492831605819934.post-90770089225114794892013-04-29T06:15:00.000-07:002013-04-29T06:15:01.192-07:00My Infatuation with PCIs (Pacific Coast Iris Hybrids)Pacific Northwest gardeners are able to brag about a lot of plants that most of the rest of the country could only see and admire in photographs and Pacific Coast Irises seem to be one of those that are such workhorses in the garden, but they're rarely seen outside of California, Oregon, and Washington.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/7163267608/" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Pacific Coast Iris x 'Native Warrior' by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Pacific Coast Iris x 'Native Warrior'" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7088/7163267608_36fbe746b2.jpg" width="374" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iris x 'Native Warrior' offered by Xera Plants</td></tr>
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Now why is that? As you'll see with the mouth-watering color forms that I've obtained and grown for several years now, they've been highly praised for their shade and drought tolerance and a few select forms have excellent evergreen foliage!<br />
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To start, let's look at what's comprised as a PCI:<br />
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There are about 11 wild, native, species that make up the PCI's. They are considered a "beardless" type of iris that grow as rhizomatous clumps and thrive in our wet winters, dry summers and moderate temperatures.<br />
Some species hybridize on their own and, of course, selections are made and numerous crosses are done to enhance the size of bloom, improve habit and vigor and diversify the color range that exists.<br />
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Often you'll see them offered as seed-grown plants in local garden centers, but specialty nurseries will carry named selections that can be quite extraordinary.<br />
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My first exposure to them was when I was in college and doing a planting plan for a design/build project I was involved in. I did some research and found that these irises would be perfect for curbside plantings and the specs emphasized the use of natives. Naturally wanting something more extravagant and more memorable thanks just sword ferns or salal, I found 5 plants at a local garden center with the full intent of using them for this project, but we were over budget and knowing that they probably wouldn't reimburse me if I used them in the garden, I decided to keep them and plunk them in my garden. The result were 4 vigorous plants (one just died randomly), three of which I donated to use at the Center for Urban Horticulture and one that simply took my breath away so I decided to keep and propagate.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/6852763742/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Iris x 'Ami Royale' by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Iris x 'Ami Royale'" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7188/6852763742_895a93ed00.jpg" width="375" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An unregistered selection named 'Ami Royale' offered by Far Reaches Farm</td></tr>
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With a handful of named selections, PCI hybrids are still difficult to come by. I still find that a lot of Northwest gardeners really don't know them so the push to really propagate and offer them in large quantities just isn't there. The plants are also somewhat temperamental about WHEN they're divided. I've been taught that once new roots are beginning to form at the base of the rhizome, they're ready for division.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/4644355652/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Pacific Coast Iris hybrid 1 by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Pacific Coast Iris hybrid 1" height="500" src="http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4059/4644355652_1f4895bbd0.jpg" width="375" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A hybrid with unique coloration - could possibly already be named</td></tr>
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Ideally, they start putting down new roots before winter sets in allowing the roots to reestablish so the plants are immediately replanted in the beds or potted up and overwintered in a cool, unheated polyhouse over the winter.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/4539577719/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Iris PCI Drip Drop by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Iris PCI Drip Drop" height="500" src="http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4024/4539577719_575cc3ca65.jpg" width="375" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iris x 'Drip Drop' was offered by Cistus Nursery</td></tr>
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So why aren't these stunning plants found in other parts of the USA? According to Iris growers in the mid-west and east coast, hardiness seem to be the downfall of these extravagant blooms. While they easily withstand frosts a deep freeze in the single digits may do some of these varieties in.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/7163265982/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Pacific Coast Iris x 'Baby Blanket' by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Pacific Coast Iris x 'Baby Blanket'" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7098/7163265982_bef156ae87.jpg" width="374" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The unique coloration of Iris x 'Baby Blanket' I got from Dancing Oaks Nursery</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/4540216850/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="PC Iris with Golden Ribes 1 by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="PC Iris with Golden Ribes 1" height="375" src="http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4006/4540216850_69fb1dc7f5.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Check out the stunning contrast with a gold leaf red-flowering currant at the Hardy Plant Society of Oregon's Spring Plant Sale!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/8662740108/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Iris x Pacific Coast Hybrid Blue with Gold by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Iris x Pacific Coast Hybrid Blue with Gold" height="374" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8246/8662740108_aa70d94075.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one was just labeled as "blue-violet", but looks stunning enough to be a named selection.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/8661641033/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Iris x Pacific Coast Hybrid Violet Purple by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Iris x Pacific Coast Hybrid Violet Purple" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8239/8661641033_0fe83fbde7.jpg" width="374" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Again, another unnamed selection that caught my eye so I grabbed it</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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So, what did happen to that one that was left from the original 5 plants I first got:<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/4594887660/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Iris x Pacific Coast unknown by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Iris x Pacific Coast unknown" height="375" src="http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4040/4594887660_8030f4c8cf.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/6852762896/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Iris PC hybrid with Heuchera by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Iris PC hybrid with Heuchera" height="500" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6119/6852762896_519326c0f1.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/3576784169/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Pacific Coast Iris hybrid by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Pacific Coast Iris hybrid" height="500" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3356/3576784169_5e80155551.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riz_reyes/7163271124/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Pacific Coast Iris hybrid 1c habit by NextGenGardener, on Flickr"><img alt="Pacific Coast Iris hybrid 1c habit" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7081/7163271124_7558431922.jpg" width="374" /></a></div>
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I've observed it, divided it, and shared starts with various friends and colleagues, who, I hope will keep it going.<br />
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Cheers,<br />
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Riz<br />
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<br />Riz Reyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07706238373661664859noreply@blogger.com5