Rock Water Features, All the Rage

Water features have been popular for a while at garden shows, but this year rock water features are all the rage at the Indiana Flower and Patio Show. Annie in Austin, thrilled us a few weeks ago with a post on her new rock fountain. Either Annie is a trend setter or this is just beginning to catch on here in Indiana.

There were some lovely stone fountains, large and small. I really like the natural look of the rock in the gardens.

I imagine that the birds would enjoy a trickling rock fountain.




This one kind of looks like a drinking fountain, but I bet it makes a great birdbath.













So, who wants one of these in their garden now?

Show Temptations and Purchases

There were a few things for sale at the Indiana Flower and Patio show that tempted me. I liked the colors of this 'Caramel' Heuchera.

I would like to add some artistic elements and decorations to the garden this year. There really wasn't that much to see though. I guess that was the disappointment of the day. The only thing that came remotely close to a temptation was this bust. Several garden bloggers have similar ones and they look pretty in the garden.

I love Pam's, (from Digging) birdhouse and would love to find something similar. This was the only white birdhouse I saw, it didn't have an opening for cleaning and it was too small.

They had Piny Winky Hydrangeas...

lots of Pinky Winky. I'm sure I would have bought one had it been a little later in the season.

I really wanted an iron trellis or obelisk from Gregg's Antiques out of Cincinnati, Ohio. I will probably regret not getting one. There was a beautiful white iron fan trellis that would be gorgeous with pink climbing roses. It was such a long distance to the car and I didn't want to have to carry anything that large.

I was glad to discover that Indianapolis has a place that sales rain barrels. This is another thing on my wish list.

I'd love to attract more bluebirds, and this was a temptation, but I just couldn't bring myself to buy the mealworms. I hope to overcome that squeamishness one day soon.



So, what did I buy? Seeds of course, like I really needed more. I actually spent $32.00 dollars on more seeds.

Here's the new seeds list:

Cardinal Climber
Butterfly Bush
Malva 'sylvestris Brave Heart'
Mallow 'pink Beauty'
Frost Hardy Geraniums
Echinacea 'Pink Parasol'
Rudbeckia 'Maya'
Cosmos, early blooming, 'Antiquity'
Four o'clocks 'Tea Time Rose'
Zinnia 'Persian Carpet' (favors the 'Swizzle' I had last year)

Spring for the Day Part 2

Some people have mentioned in their garden blogs that they don't like the commercial aspect of the flower and garden shows in their area and they choose not to go. There are a lot of vendors selling home and landscaping services and wares at the Indy show too, but it doesn't bother me. My husband has been in an industry for the last eighteen years that involves trade shows, so I understand how they operate and I expect this when I go to a flower and garden show.

The purpose of an industry trade show is to reveal new products and to drum up business, plain and simple. Were it not for the small vendors hawking their wares, filling up booth space and absorbing some of the exorbitant cost for this type of production, the shows couldn't happen at all. It would be too costly. I'd rather have them there than not have the show at all.

It is still so worth it to go and enjoy the sights and smells of spring. I sat on a stone wall near the hyacinths and drank in their heady scent. It was delightful!

The hydrangeas were spectacular.

Azaleas and hostas, a perfect spring combination.

Lovely hellebores were gracing several of the gardens.

I've always gone to the show on the weekend, when it is crowded and hard to move around, much less take pictures.

I definitely prefer attending during the week. No crowds and I was able to take pictures at my leisure and not be in anyone's way. Definitely more enjoyable.

Last year I went twice, the first time was on Saturday, (first day of the show), my mom was here visiting and I took her. I went with a friend, a week later on Sunday afternoon, (last day of the show). I enjoyed both, but this year I wanted to go alone so I could take my time and not be rushed. It was a delightful day and just the little getaway I needed. I took about six hundred pictures and didn't feel rushed in the least. I even treated myself to a few chocolates from the South Bend Chocolate Company. A day of relaxation, enjoyment and self-indulgence. I think I can make it until spring now.

Spring for the Day Part 1

Today I went to the Indiana Flower and Patio Show, where spring is definitely in the air. Usually about this time of year I am so sick of winter and very desperate for spring, the Flower and Patio show is like a mini spring vacation that helps me make it through the rest of the winter.

During early spring in Tuscaloosa, Alabama azaleas are in bloom everywhere. There aren't that many here in Indy and it is one of the things I really, really miss from home. The Flower and Patio Show is where I go to get my spring azalea fix.

I don't have a lot of commentary to offer on the pictures tonight. I'm pretty tired, and having trouble even thinking what to say, so I leave you with spring eye-candy. Enjoy!

Favorites from the Patio and Garden show...

Last month I went to the Patio and Garden Show with my mom and then a second time with a neighbor friend. I love going to this show at the end of winter; it is like going on a mini vacation to a warmer climate. It honestly helps me make it through the rest of winter. During the winter months I looked at hundreds of garden books and magazines to get ideas and inspiration for my gardens and the patio and garden show really gave me some great ideas too.


Hardscaping with stone must have been part of the theme this year. Every garden had beautiful fountains and/or gas/propane fire pits.




Almost all of the display gardens used container planting in the midst of the flower beds or at the edge. I read a book during the winter about using hardscaping in the landscape and the difference it makes visually. It really does add visual interest and height.