Sunday, March 8, 2009

Bella Italia!

That was the theme this year for the Philadelphia Flower Show. One, if not the, largest indoor shows in the world covering 10 acres. I'm sure they broke sales record this year as I've never seen it as crowded! Italian gardens feature a more formal structure. Most of the displays included statues, formal hedges and, of course, fountains galore. I "OOHed" and "AAHed" each one more than the last. And talk about colors! Rich and vibrant, a feast for the eyes and soul. My photos, unfortunately, are a little blurry and dark (gotta get a new camera!), but hopefully, you'll enjoy them anyway, so...let's go!
Notice the orb of pink blooms in the back... Here it is...you can imagine the scale of this arrangement as the crowds gather below.





This was my favorite fountain..loved those dark tulips

This pink wisteria tree drew alot of admirers





So for those of us who've dreamt of visiting gardens of Italy, this field trip was almost as good as the real thing. I'll do another post of the competition area soon. Ciao, Bella Italia!

16 comments:

  1. Lynn- absolutely stunning! I was needing some color this morning and these great pics did the trick.
    -Heather

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  2. OMG! What glorious flowers and color. That is one big arrangement. Ten acres I cannot imagine. Much better than the one we had at Central Ohio Garden Show.Like walking through Summer gardens.
    So pretty.

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  3. Beautiful and colorful. I'll go crazy with all those beauties.

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  4. My heart sank when I saw the first picture - this is what I like: ferns, sculptures, urns, pedestals... Thanks for taking us on the tour...

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  5. The show had some great displays. Like Tatyana, I love the first display of ferns, greenery, stone, sculpture, and fountain. The massive colour displays are a wonderful antidote to the monochrome colours of winter. The bulb displays have me trying to remember how many bulbs I planted last fall. It always seems like a lot when you are planting in the fall, but in the spring I always wish I had planted more.

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  6. Thanks, Heather, glad to provide the color fix you needed!

    Hi Lona, 10 acres and 6 1/2 hours later, my poor legs and feet! It was very slow moving though due to the massive crowd. But, I'm not complaining, I loved it!

    Thank you, Blossom, but lucky you get to enjoy colorful blooms throughout the year.

    Tatyanna and Northern Shade...Those ferns were amazing! I wished I had better pictures of that particular display as it was very long and had many more statues in it.

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  7. I think ya got great pics Lynn! I wish I would have hit a big garden show but (small town me) I just hate fighting the parking and having to walk a long ways. Since my surgery my walking isn't so great. I am going to go to our local county one next month though and it's usually nice. I haven't been for a couple of years but always use to come home with something wonderful!

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  8. How beautiful. I can't believe how large that one arrangement is. I think this is a great them for a flower show.
    Did you make any purchases? :)

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  9. Very nice!!
    You have a few pics I don't remember seeing.
    Glad you posted them.
    I have to admit it was very impressive this year. I believe the theme had alot to do with it.
    With the place being so big and busy it's hard to take it all in...but yours and my pictures let me savor it for as long as I like.

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  10. Hi Lynn, the 'show' looks absolutely amazing...they certainly produced an event worth attending! Your photos show gorgeous arrangements and blooms. I think your visit went well and I thank you so much for sharing;)

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  11. Wow, I need my sunglasses for all that sparkling beauty! Those colors were so thrilling and that giant flower arrangement was astronomical! Thanks for sharing your wonderful trip there. Wish I could go in person. Maybe some day.
    Frances

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  12. I just love seeing all the flower and garden shows going on around the country! I've always wanted to visit Italy, so I particularly enjoyed your photos. Don't worry, that little bindweed won't get far. Mr. Lawn Guy, I mean hubby, will see to that!

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  13. What a feast for the eyes and probably nose. So many wonderful colors. Lucky you! I can't wait to see more. Thanks for sharing.

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  14. Lovely photos! It looks like it was a good show!

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  15. Hi Linda, yes, I hope you get to your local show..it's always nice to see some any form of flowers in bloom :) I drove 1 1/2 hrs. to the Philly Show and it was worth it.

    Catherine, I would guess close to 1000 roses in that large arrangement. It was a great theme, some years, not so. I remember one year a ways back it was all tropical...even though pretty, there were no plants to try in our zone!

    Thanks for all your nice comments everyone!

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  16. The pink wisteria tree is fabulous !!
    as is all of it. thanks for sharing.
    hugs, Cherry

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