© Gregg Shupe 2005
Home All-Stars: Gracious Grounds
January 1, 2006
Best in Show
If you find yourself in need of horticultural inspiration, make
plans to attend one of these world-renowned garden events.
Charleston Garden Festival, South Carolina
This three-day festival,
located within Charleston’s historic Middleton Place gardens, was launched last
October, and organizers are hoping to turn it into an annual event. The 65 acres
of formal gardens–once belonging to Arthur Middleton, who signed the Declaration
of Independence–were the setting for an opening night party, lectures by
preeminent horticulturalists from around the country, artisan vendors,
horticulture tours, exhibit gardens, a formal tea and the livelier “Grooving in
the Garden” soirée.
October, annually. 843.723.9293, www.charlestongardenfestival.com
Chaumont-sur-Loire Garden Show, France
Perhaps the most thrilling of all
garden shows, the Chaumont event began in 1992 as a showcase for radical garden
design, and continues to push the boundaries of artistic landscaping. (Many of
the designers work in other fields, such as architecture, so sculptural
creations are common.) The show is held on the grounds of a château in the Loire
Valley. Thirty show gardens are created around an annual theme; the 2003 theme
was “Weeds,” and one designer created a garden that featured hundreds of spoons
set in the ground. October, annually. +33.2.54.20.99.22, www.chaumont-jardin.com
Chelsea Flower Show, London
Billed as “The World’s Greatest Flower Show,”
this annual five-day event has been held at the Royal Hospital in Chelsea since
1913. Close to 600 exhibitors turn out each year to blanket the 11-acre property
with botanical beauty; more than 100 floral exhibitors were present in 2005,
many of whom (such as McBean’s Orchids) have shown at the festival for decades.
Exhibits are judged by panels comprised of members of the Royal Horticultural
Society, organizers of the festival. Roughly 150,000 guests attend the show each
year. May 23—27. +44.870.906.3781, www.rhs.org.uk/chelsea
Hampton Court Palace Flower Show, London
If roses are your passion, this
six-day event, also hosted by England’s Royal Horticultural Society, will feel
like utopia. The largest annual horticultural show in the world, the Hampton
Court Palace event features one of the most impressive collections of roses in
full bloom. Also on display are vignettes from more than 150 specialist
nurseries. Last year, guests were treated to an entire gardening year under one
roof: four show gardens constructed in the indoor Daily Mail Pavilion recreated
spring, summer, autumn and winter, consecutively. July 4—9.
+44.870.906.3781, www.rhs.org.uk/hamptoncourt
Northwest Flower & Garden Show, Seattle
This annual five-day show,
held at the Washington State Convention Center, boasts more demonstrations and
seminars than most: 115 presentations (many held on an open demonstration stage)
are scheduled for this year’s extravaganza. Among the pragmatic seminar topics
planned are “Pruning Fruit Trees” and “Designing Container Gardens.” Dozens of
display gardens will also be constructed, and speakers will include garden
writers Noel Kingsbury and Wayne Winterrowd, author and co-creator of the famed
North Hill garden. February 8—12. 206.789.5333, www.gardenshow.com
Philadelphia Flower Show
The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society hosts this
annual flower show at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. The event lures
speakers from around the globe and features 10 acres of vendors and full-size
and vignette gardens. This year’s theme, “Celebrate Enchanted Spring . . . A
Tribute to Mother Nature,” will encompass a host of whimsical exhibits,
including Natura, the largest plant sculpture in the world (27 feet tall) and a
Water, Wind and Fire display that features moving fountains and
flowers.
March 5—12. 215.988.8899, www.theflowershow.com
San Francisco Flower & Garden Show
California’s biggest and best
flower and garden show, now in its 21st year, runs for five days every year at
the Cow Palace and attracts tens of thousands of garden lovers and professional
horticulturists. The tag line for the event, “Where Gardens Meet Art,”
underlines its intentions: to showcase the artistry of the state’s top landscape
designers. Over 20 full-size gardens anchor the show, augmented with vignette
gardens and vendors selling tools, books and accessories. Dozens of seminars and
workshops are also scheduled. March 15—19. 415.771.6909, www.gardenshow.com
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