NEWS

Over the garden fence

Mary Lee Minor Telegraph-Forum columnist

A journey to the 2015 Cincinnati Flower Show was a fascinating jolt into my first outdoor version. The show returned after a four year hiatus. June Gebhardt and I were involved because we were asked to judge a flower show sponsored by the Horticultural Society and region 4 of the Ohio Association of Garden Clubs, Inc.

I will admit to being in La-La Land on this invitation. This event was more than our flower show. It was an enormous exhibition tucked between the Purple People Bridge and Taylor Southgate Bridge to the east of the Cincinnati Reds’ Stadium, right downtown. It careened along the Ohio River.

There was an effort to present urban gardening ideas, brightening and growing in small areas and rooftop “green thumb” hints.

Once the judging was finished, the two of us could barely wait to get rolling through four hours of horticulture pavilions, outdoor window boxes set with matching hanging baskets at framed window sashes, and never-ending container gardening ideas, even vendors with handcrafted gifts and horticulture.

The Dramatic Table settings in one pavilion brought on floral power like I have never seen before. Tables either glass topped or dressed in fine linens and china, were overwhelmed with plant material like first-class roses, lilies and orchids. Beauty, and breathtaking visions filled that area. Noting that practicality was not in for most designers, we delighted seeing green mums packed into wine glasses with candles on top. One table had perhaps 24 votives which encircled the centerpiece, but each votive held a white rose. Even chairs were embellished, one with a peacock cushion and petaled fabric of teal.

Landscaping companies selected aspects of Cincinnati to create gardens, living areas, landscaping features and ornamental accents. It is impossible to gauge the many hours which had gone into developing patio areas with small fountain birdbaths, furniture, espaliered fruit trees which were flowering, raised garden beds managed as an outdoor classroom and areas designed for encouraging wildlife like birds, butterflies, bats, and bees.

Awed by so much beauty, energy and creativity we strolled through sparkling, happy people selling metal sculptures, plants, linens, wreaths, flower pots, woven hats, gardening gloves, even walking canes decorated--totally covered in fabric and ribbons, with fashioned flowers. We tried to avoid buying any plant material, but I ended up with some lilies called “America” and a potted blue iris.

As we headed back to the flower show tent, we passed small gardens, one after another, demonstrating the use of clever containers and plants which were related like herbs, and succulents. There was even a fairy garden. Every post along the promenade held baskets of cascading petunias.

We never even visited the fine food market vendors. DoJo Gelato promised goodies and so did Crème de la Crème Confections. There were more.

The warm spring weather, and moving the show back to the city, certainly made a winning combination.

Mary Lee Minor is a member of the Earth, Wind and Flowers Garden Club, an accredited flower show judge for the Ohio Association of Garden Clubs and a former sixth-grade teacher.