Canada Blooms 2014 is here

Hi everyone,

Canada Blooms opened on Friday. It's one of the largest flower and garden shows in North America.  I was there yesterday.  In the past, I've been able to register as Media and get into the show in the mornings before it opens to the public.  This year I joined the Garden Writers Association as a garden photographer.  Our section met at the show for seminars and networking, so I had a double event this year.    

The Canada Blooms show is excellent.  I was surprised to see innovation in the landscape designs.  Landscape Ontario, with its bee theme had some attractive beehive-inspired structures.  The floral design displays showed a sense of humour this year - bikinis created from flowers.  

It is quite a contrast to photograph the show before the crowds surge in.  I got a view of the show from the podium of the main stage.  This may spark a reaction from some of you - fear of public speaking is the number 1 fear.

Royal Botanical Garden New Atrium

I was at the Ontario Regional Lily Society Annual Flower Show on the weekend and it was held in the new Atrium at the RBG. What a space - elegance and simplicity in the architectural design, beautiful warm wood and full of natural light. The living wall is the immediate view when you enter the hall.

The lily stems were in natural light for the first time displaying their colours and luminescence. A highlight of the show for me was on Sunday afternoon when Dr. Laking, one of the ORLS founding members came to the exhibit and spoke at the awards ceremony.

Next Lily event is October 4th 1:00pm at the RBG for the lily bulb sale and auction!