The spectacular display gardens at the annual Northwest Flower &Garden Show inspire dreams of turning a backyard wilderness into an outdoor oasis.
At this year’s event, which took place Feb. 8 to 12, the presentations were as dazzling as ever, but a few standouts won recognition from the public and judges alike.
Snohomish-based Sublime Garden Design partnered with Natural Concepts Landscape Co., Inc., also in Snohomish, to create a sensational garden that won the Ethel Moss People’s Choice Award, Fred Palmer Garden Creator’s Award and an overall silver medal.
The concept, “The Resonating Sounds of Nature,” was originally inspired by the drum garden at North Bend’s Cedar River Watershed.
“We like to create gardens that enhance a person’s sense of well being,” said Heidi Skievaski, owner of Sublime Garden Design. The garden was designed to be a multisensory experience. Simulated rainwater rhythmically echoed off the drums as a stream trickled through the garden.
Fragrant flowers and herbs appealed to the sense of smell and the unusual needles of a Japanese umbrella pine tree enticed people to touch.
“We had so many people saying that it really moved them. To win that (People’s Choice Award), it’s more important than anything. I get kind of emotional just talking about it,” Skievaski said.
Other local winners included: Innovative Landscape Technologies in Everett, Dakara Landscape Design in Edmonds, Fancy Plants Gardens, Inc. in Bothell, Fancy Fronds in Gold Bar, Stanwood FFA Horticulture, Susan Browne Landscape Design in Everett, Under the Arbor Landscape Design in Edmonds and Wight’s Home &Garden in Lynnwood.
2012 winners
Founder’s Cup (Best In Show): Elandan Gardens
Ethel Moss People’s Choice Award: Sublime Garden Design/Natural Concepts Landscape Co., Inc.
Fred Palmer Garden Creator’s Award: Sublime Garden Design/Natural Concepts Landscape Co., Inc.
American Horticultural Society Environment Award: Washington Park Arboretum
Pacific Horticultural Society Award: Washington Park Arboretum
Sunset Western Living Award: Cascadian Edible Landscapes
Gray Magazine Design of Choice Award: Cascadian Edible Landscapes
South Sound Magazine Editor’s Choice Award: Cascadian Edible Landscapes
425 Magazine Editor’s Choice Award: Innovative Landscape Technologies (Everett)
“Living It Up,” Best Overall Design and Use of Small Space: Perennial Lawn &Garden, Inc.
CONTAINER GARDENS
People’s Choice: Cultivar, LLC Best Plant Material: Ravenna Gardens Best Design: Cultivar, LLC Best Re-characterization: Terabithia Landscaping
FLORAL COMPETITION
People’s Choice: Stanwood FFA Horticulture First Place: Juniper Flowers Second Place: Tiare Floral Design Third Place: Fena Flowers
FUNKY JUNK (high school competition)
Best Plant Material: Interlake High School Best Design: A.G. West/Black Hills High School Best Example of Re-Characterization: A.G. West/Black Hills High School Most Funky/Cool/Unusual/Creative: Ballard High School
MEDALS
Gold
Elandan Gardens (Bremerton) Heritage Tree &Land (Bellevue) Washington Park Arboretum (Seattle)
Silver
Fancy Plants Gardens, Inc. (Bothell) Redwood Builders (Maple Valley) Sublime Garden Design (Snohomish) Washington Association of Landscape Professionals
Crystal Adam Gorski Landscapes, Inc. (North Bend) Fancy Fronds (Gold Bar) Northwest Orchid Society
Bronze Artistic Garden Concepts (Kent) Cascadian Edible Landscapes (Seattle) Dakara Landscape Design (Edmonds) Elements of Nature (Seattle) Innovative Landscape Technologies (Everett) Susan Browne Landscape Design (Everett) The Pond Store (Sumner) Under the Arbor Landscape Design (Edmonds) Washington Nursery &Landscape Association Wight’s Home &Garden (Lynnwood)
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
