A Box Full of Fragrant Winter Gardening Joy

We're having a stretch of unusually dry, mild weather this week, and it's good to be outside. I have a hundred chores to do, but before getting started, I decided go to the local nursery to buy a new pair of gloves. Of course, you know how that is... I found a few more things that needed to come home with me.

And here they are, in my little box of winter gardening joy. On the left, in back, is a tiny Daphne odora, with scented blooms about to open, which will be a lovely Valentine gift for a friend; next to Daphne is Sarcococca confusa in full, fragrant bloom; in front, on the left, a lightly fragrant, yellow 'Danova' primrose; at right, a purple 'Danova' primrose. And then, of course, there are the gloves which I shall put on now and get to work.

Behind the Scenes at the Northwest Flower and Garden Show

If you've been to the Northwest Flower and Garden Show, which opens this year on February 8 in Seattle, you've seen the remarkable display gardens that form the centerpiece of the show. These gardens look as though they have been there for years, with rock outcroppings, stone stairs, meandering paths, fully mature plant material, waterfalls, ponds, garden sheds, seating areas, gazebos, arbors, and lush blooms. But in fact, it's all an illusion. These gardens haven't been there long at all - the teams who design and build these gardens have only 72 hours from the time they enter that huge empty space at the Convention Center until the opening of the show.

I've been to this show many times in the past 20 years, as a visitor, as an exhibitor and as a helper with garden construction. Of all my experiences with the Flower and Garden Show, my favorite has always been having the opportunity to be there when the gardens are built. It is magical to see them evolve and it gives me an even greater appreciation for the people who bring us this event every year.

Here's a glimpse behind the scenes: