Karen Platt’s blog

Seattle and the NWFGS 2008

I have just arrived home from my visit to the NWFGS in Seattle. As I sip the tea I bought at Remedy teas in Seattle’s Capitol Hill district, download my photos, empty the suitcase into the washing machine and in general wish I were still sleepless in Seattle, it’s a good time to reflect upon my 6th journey to the Emerald city, its people and above all the flower show. I am always on the lookout for tea shops. I’m English and I drink tea in style - it has to be real tea, not the sweepings up off the floor in a teabag that most people deluge their bodies with. I have also been interested in medicinal herbs and herbal teas since I was 18. This cafe was a real find, with many teas displayed in an intriguing way and good food too. I had a slice of lemon and lavender cake and Jasmine green tea. I also bought an ounce of digestive tea. Drink it by the cup, pot or take it home by the ounce. What more could you ask.? It’s also worth coming to Capitol Hill just for the views of the Space Needle.

 Seattle is the USA’s prettiest city, with views of the islands and the Cascade mountains, it’s hard to beat. The downtown area is compact and walkable. The waterfront area for a Piscean like me, is very alluring. I love the views of the islands and waterways. There’s also the new Olympic Sculpture Park on the waterfront too with native plantings and many pieces of art displayed against the fabulous backdrop. Don’t believe what they say about the rain - the sun nearly always shines when I am there in February. It might be a little crisp and cold, but that just serves to make the blue skies clearer and that sun all the brighter.  

Being involved in the NWFGS for the past 6 years, I have spent much time inside the convention centre where the show is held. It’s the perfect venue for the perfect flower show in the perfect city. This year I explored on foot, bus and was also driven around the city by friend and fellow garden writer, Linda Urbaniak. I’m even more deeply in love with Seattle. Must-see is the Space Needle (I first saw this with friend and garden writer and author Debra Prinzing) accessible by Monorail which is worth it just for the ride, Pike Place Market - not incidentally my favourite place. 

I’m more likely to head for the fabulous Seattle Art Museum, where I started my collection of Yixing teapots. Both places are easy to reach on foot and just below the Museum on First Avenue, my favourite street, you will find a very interesting coffee shop with American Indian artefacts called Ancient Grounds at 1220 First Ave, the owner is interesting and his character is reflected in his collection of goods for sale. There is also a Chinese paper shop which is so dinky and cute that if you blink, you’ll miss it and one of those incredible emporiums this area is famous for with goods arranged by colour themes (oh how I love that) kitchen goods, paper and ribbons. Further along, there is another American Indian artefacts shop - this time bigger and glossy, the Legacy 1003 First Ave.  

Are we here to shop or garden? There are incredible gardens in the area, some of which, Washington Park Arboretum and Japanese Garden, the Conservatory at Volunteer Park are easy and quick to reach by public transport. Take a ferry ride to one of the islands. On my first trip to Seattle, I visited the much-beloved Heronswood nursery, which has since closed. A good idea is to go across to the Bainbridge gardens or visit the Bloedel Reserve.The people of Seattle are the friendliest Americans, so polite, open and big-hearted. This is an area of avid gardeners, so it’s no wonder the NWFGS (Northwest Flower and Garden Show) show is so well attended and now in its 20th year. What a brilliant idea Duane Kelly had, a dream that he made come true with commitment and a dedicated and professional staff. Janet Endsley looks after the seminars and no-one does a finer job. Where else can you here, PNW garden personalities like Marianne Binetti and the odd Brit (who said I was odd?) for free? I love this garden show. It’s not Chelsea, but it has something that Chelsea lacks, and I’ve pondered on this for 4 days before I put my finger on it - it’s not just the bubbling over enthusiasm of the garden writers, many of whom (me included) speak at the show, but also that of the attendees and exhibitors. What this show has that you will never find at Chelsea is atmosphere as big and large as America herself. Come for the fantastic displays of PNW (Pacific Northwest) plants and style, the many garden gifts that are art and craft rolled into one - you will find unique, affordable gifts and art - guaranteed. The best thing is that you’ll recognise and love the plants too. Seattle’s climate is very similar to that of England.  My favourite garden this year was the blue garden by Tami Ott-Ostberg of Garden Dreams Design, (206) 356 7429 and called ‘Garden Get Away’. It featured the best of conifers for the PNW and subtle shades of blue in Smith & Hawken’s furniture. I was awed by the use of stone in Borrowed Ground and Exterior Scapes creation and that’s saying something since I come from an area where dry stone walling reigns. Washington Park Arboretum’s Pacific Rim exhibit was also of great interest and a good talking point. The seminars, over 120 of them are all free and the show ticket is a very modest 20 dollars (10 GBP). Compare that to the 41 GBP fee for Chelsea(82 dollar) or 25 GBP for the Hampton Court Flower Show (50 dollars) and you can see the Americans get more for their bucks. Both those involved and the visitors alike are knowledgeable and real plant nuts. You’ll find the unusual is more common here, more so than at Chelsea. Chelsea is still very special, there’s nowhere else like it, but I know which show I enjoy the more - can you tell? There are no pretensions, no-one has to pretend to be the bad boy, people appreciate the effort involved in putting together a garden and they tell you if they like what you do. I am fortunate enough to have been embraced by those who visit the show and have made very many friends and a couple of jealous enemies! Join the 2009 tours to the PNW (Vancouver BC, Victoria, Vancouver Island, BC, Seattle including the NWFGS, Portland and also to California.