Text and photos ©Nancy J. Ondra
Now that I’ve gotten a big writing project off my desk, and now that we’ve finally received some rain, I am so ready to concentrate on gardening again. This year, I have even more reason than usual to get excited about the fall season: The nursery I work at, Linden Hill Gardens, will be exhibiting later this month at GardenFair at Winterthur in Delaware. This is the fifth year for GardenFair but the first time for Linden Hill, and the first time I’ll get to attend the event, and I know it’s going to be an amazing experience.
The space we chose for our exhibit is perfect, I think. At first, we were considering a small, uncovered space, or possibly a slightly larger space in a tent. Then we looked at one greenhouse space, but it was way too big (for this year, anyway). Then we saw the space pictured above and knew it was just right. So now, we’re busy making layout plans, creating signage, and – most importantly – hitting our favorite suppliers to stock up on awesome plants to sell. (A tough job, but someone has to do it….)
We’ve been hearing a lot of great things about GardenFair from past exhibitors, and the list of this year’s vendors looks awesome. I’m especially excited to see that Rare Find Nursery and Asiatica are going to be there; both offer really neat plants, and I’ve mail-ordered some great stuff from Rare Find in the past. There are also many exhibitors featuring artisan items and antiques, and a full program of presentations and workshops. In fact, Linden Hill’s owner, Jerry Fritz, will be speaking about some of his favorite foliage perennials on Saturday, and our new nursery manager, Dino DiSalvi, will be doing a workshop on fall containers on Sunday. No presentations for me, thank goodness! But I’ll be working at our exhibit all three days of the event (Friday, September 26 through Sunday, September 28, from 10 am to 5 pm). So, if any of you plan to attend GardenFair, please stop by and say hello, and see for yourself how we’ve managed to transform this empty space into something spectacular. For more info on the event, check out www.gardenfair.org.
What fun and excitement Nan. I would be broke if I was able to go see the fair. I love seeing all those plants and “stuff”. I need some more plants but I get sidetracked by the “stuff”.
Yeah, I’m thinking it’s probably good that I’ll be busy working and not having too much time to shop there. But is sure is fun shopping other nurseries and greenhouses now to get ready. Of course, it’s not *my* money we’re spending….
-Nan
Hi Nan, I see that I’m logged in as fairegarden, the wordpress alternative universe blog. It’s still me though. That greenhouse is spectacular. I assume you are going to take lots of pictures of your display once it is done as a follow up to this post. Like Lisa, I would alert the credit card detectives with the purchases I would make at such a wonderful location. Stuff is the last thing I need more of, but it always attracts me anyway! Good luck on that and when will we hear about that writing project? ;->
Frances of Faire Garden and Fairegarden
I guessed it was still you, Frances. I read on another blog this morning that you’re considering switching to WordPress – cool! You bet I’ll take my camera to GardenFair and get lots of pictures. But perhaps I will leave my credit card at home. The writing project? Um, I was asked to prepare a paper on the use of ornamental grasses in American gardens for the Journal of Chinese Landscape Architecture. Fortunately, I didn’t have to write it in Chinese. But you can probably tell that scholarly writing is not my strong suit, so I’m not sure they’ll actually want to use it.
-Nan
That *is* a great space, Nan! I can’t wait to see what you all do with it! GardenFair sounds like a wonderful event. And wow, the Journal of Chinese Landscape Architecture! Now there’s one for your resume!
I want this greenhouse *so* much. I think it would look great here. But I suppose they’d notice if I dismantled it and slipped it into our truck when we pack up on Sunday night. Sigh.
-Nan
The Garden fair sounds like a fun event, but a little far away for us to attend! Have fun, it looks like you will!
Well, it’ll get me a little farther south, Dave, but not near enough to Tennessee. Darn.
-Nan
Hi! What a wonderfull greenhouse! Its werry beutiful I think at the entré
Have a nice day!
Linda
I agree, Linda. The greenhouse itself is lovely, and having those hyacinth bean vines growing up the front wall adds even more charm.
-Nan
I wish I lived closer, I would love to go! Actually, I’d just like to see Winterthur itself, live & in person. But I don’t think I’d want to work right next to Rare Find & Asiatica. They wouldn’t have any plants to sell to the public, they’d all be in the back of my van.
Oh, yes – with your taste in cool plants, you could definitely get into trouble there, MMD. I’ll try to capture some in pictures, at least.
-Nan
Hi Nan, I did move to wordpress. There are still lots of things I need to learn how to do, but I do like it here. Come see me so I can add you to the blogroll, I started over for it was too daunting to relist each of those links. Please?
Frances
We crossed in cyberspace, Frances! I was just over visiting your new digs when you left your message. I’ve already updated you on the blogroll here and at GGW.
-Nan
Hi Nancy,
Glad to have you as a neighbor for the three days at Winterthur. It was a hard but fun week.
Keep up the good work!
Long
Thanks for stopping by, Long. It was quite an event. I’ve finally gotten caught up with the Design Workshop posts over at Gardening Gone Wild, so I’ll be putting together a follow-up GardenFair post here in the next day or two, hopefully.
-Nan