SACO (March 17, 2008): When
I read of the Portland Flower Show in the newspaper, I wanted
to go and made plans to see some spring color with my daughter
Kathy. We ended up going on the last day, Sunday. The sun
was brilliant and welcome as we started out. After parking,
we took the shuttle to the Portland Complex by the waterfront,
the venue for the show. Other people waiting for the shuttle
were smiling, and we chatted about looking forward to the
flowers and landscaping. The courtesy shuttle worked smoothly,
and was so much better than trying to find a place to park
nearby. It was muddy in the parking area, as well. I even
welcome mud at this time, as long as it does not track in
the house, since it is a sign of warmer temperatures.
Upon entering the building, vendor booths related to gardening
were placed before the exhibitors. We made our way through
the crowd and were distracted by some things that caught
our fancy. After purchasing some vases for cut flowers that
were very pretty, we pressed on without stopping. We agreed
to proceed to the major exhibitors and look again at the
venders booths on our way back.
The theme for the exhibits was “Urban Retreats.”
Many booths featured stonework along with the flowers, plants,
shrubs and trees. Some gardeners incorporated water fountains
and waterfalls. One garden had a very soothing feel, and
had added the sounds of birdsong as a welcome sound of spring.
I heard a little boy saying something to his mom questioning
the birds in this inside space. It was refreshing and uplifting
to see tulips and daffodils. Kathy and I wanted to see color!
One of the last exhibits we saw was very memorable as the
most serene composition, and unusual. It was the reflection
of plants, trees, and a moon shimmering on an outside pool.
The scene’s theme was “Dancing in the Moonlight.”
It was one of those times that one would say, “Oh
– how pretty.” Many did, and lingered at the
pool. I imagined being there in a real scene, sitting and
reflecting. I wanted to walk around it and be in it. Of
course, that was not possible, since the areas are roped
off. I think I would call it dreamy in overall effect. I
wonder how many pools people bought because of this exhibit,
or at least inquired from Robin’s Nest Aquatics of
Hollis. Blue Rock Stone Center of Westbrook did the stonework.
The craftsmen did a beautiful surround and access to the
pool. With the help of my daughter’s hand, I braved
the slippery steps for a closer look to take photos to remember
the day.
One particularly delightful garden used brick as the wall
of the urban garden, a back door in the center of the wall,
a welcoming wreath on the door. It featured a water fountain
as the focal point in the semicircular flowerbeds on each
side. This space invited one to come in, sit down to read
a book, or just pause and gaze.
It would be hard to vote on the exhibit that we liked the
best at the end of the tour. Another I remember well is
the garden that evoked France’s Provençal region,
in the southeastern area, near the Mediterranean. Near a
stone fireplace and beside a wooden cushioned bench was
an artful arrangement in a bright blue pot, perhaps a bit
lighter blue than Delft, would describe it best. Blue hydrangeas
repeated the blue color of the pot and low yellow flowers
in this striking, warm exhibit. It is a complimentary look
that I particularly like. Adjacent to it was a smaller,
darker blue and gray pot filled with pink geraniums. Simple
and so inviting that I went back to look at it again.
Next year, I hope to spend more time at this event, though
I was getting fatigued. If one looks at too much in a short
period, one can experience sensory overload. It seems to
me it is more beneficial for the spirit to look well and
savor what you do see.
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