If you’re a gardener, or you just like to look at gardens, then this event is for you! I look forward to the Northwest Flower and Garden Festival every year and this year did not disappoint. I can’t wait to share the amazing highlights with you.
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A Bit About the Northwest Flower and Garden Show
The Northwest Flower and Garden Festival is an amazing annual exhibition of gardening and horticulture where you can gather ideas and inspiration for your outdoor spaces.
It is the largest garden show west ofPhiladelphiaand is considered the second-largest garden show in the country.
The garden festival has taken place at the Seattle Convention Center since it started in 1989. This year’s dates are February 14th-18th.
Better Homes & Gardens magazine rated the Northwest Flower and Garden Festival as the #1 garden show in the U.S. in 2020.
This year’s garden show’s theme is “I love Spring”.
It showcases over 20 display gardens that are built in 72 hours, a garden marketplace where over 350 exhibitors sell garden-related products and supplies, and 115 sessions and learning activities.
The Display Gardens
Temporary garden displays are constructed in under 72 hours by garden creators from around the Pacific Northwest.
This garden show is a serious source of garden design inspiration with over 30,000 forced plants and blooming flowers to see.
Show Garden Display Awards
The garden displays are judged for awards. Here are the awards that were presented in 2023.
- Founder’s Cup (Best in Show)
- American Horticultural Society Environmental Award
- Best Use of Color
- Best Use of Horticulture
- Best Use of Natural Stone, presented by Marenakos
- Best Use of Hardscapes, presented by Nutual Materials
- Ethel Moss People’s Choice
- Fred Palmer Garden Creator’s Award
- Fine Gardening Magazine Award
- GardenComm Outdoor Living
This fairy garden was so pretty in person and I wish I could have taken a better up-close picture. There were so many people at this display.
If you love hellebores as much as I do, this garden show was full of them. I took a picture of this variety, ‘Glenna’s Gloss”, because I loved the colors.
This garden’s hardscapes were stunning.
Check out this outdoor space. I’m loving the chairs in front of the fire pit.
If you’re looking for a more tropical vibe, they’ve got you covered.
This garden display had bright and beautiful flowers with grasses and sedum mixed in.
How relaxing is this poolside garden?
The garden displays were my favorite part of the show. I always get so much inspiration. It’s shocking that these garden displays were created in less than 72 hours.
There is so much creativity and talent here.
City Living Displays
These city living garden displays are the perfect inspiration for urban dwellers who are looking for patio, balcony, and small city garden ideas.
These garden displays are located in front of huge windows so there is plenty of natural lighting.
As you can see, it was a very wet and rainy Seattle day. If you look closely, you can even see the Pike Place Market sign and Puget Sound behind it.
The city living displays are 12′ x 6′ and focus on container planting and outdoor living spaces for relaxing and entertaining.
You’ll find vertical wall planters, textured accents, cozy seating, and water features. These gardens are created by leading retail nurseries and landscape designers in the Pacific Northwest.
City Living Garden Display Awards
- Best Plant Material
- Best Design
- People’s Choice
The Marketplace
From what I’ve read, the Northwest Flower and Garden Show has the largest marketplace of any garden show in the U.S.
The garden marketplace offers plants, gardening supplies, botanical art, and much more.
Above is a picture of my friend Carman, owner and creator of Mad Mosaics. We worked together at the Seattle Nordstrom store in 1991.
Now she creates the most beautiful window and door art. Her pieces are custom hand-made mosaics and are one-of-a-kind and designed to fit your decor and personality.
The blue window pictured above is the one I want to buy. I couldn’t get it at the show but I’m hoping Carman can make me a similar one.
I always love seeing Christianson’s booth at the garden show.
They have an amazing amount of plants for sale, as well as some home decor and books. I’m bringing my wagon next year so I can buy some things.
It’s hard to see in the picture but this flower lady was the highlight!
Ravena Gardens also had a booth. I bought some seeds there, because, you can always use more seeds!!!
Home and Garden Decor Booths
So let me get this straight. Not only are there garden displays, and plants to buy, but there’s vintage decor too?!?!?!
Details Home and Garden from Poulsbo was at the show to my great surprise.
Trey, the owner of Details Home and Garden, is the most amazing merchandiser. I am always so impressed with the way he sets up his merchandise.
Many of his furniture pieces were already sold after just one day.
That didn’t stop me from getting ideas and inspiration for spring.
There were other booths with vintage decor.
There were the most beautiful planters, urns, and statues for your garden. I found a few pieces but they were all sold.
It was still fun to look at.
So what do you think?
Maybe I’ll run into you next year. Let me know what your favorite thing was at the show that I shared here.
If you have any questions or additional suggestions, feel free to share them in the comments below. And be sure to share this blog post link with anyone who may enjoy this post.
Until next time,
Happy Gardening!
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