On January 1, I can step out onto the front porch and smell the Sarcococca confusa blooming. It’s not only a sign of the new year, it reminds me that the garden show season is about to start up. We’re fortunate in the Northwest to have some fabulous shows that are scheduled just when we are getting sick and tired of the gray skies and short days (which are getting longer, infinitesimally). On Feb. 15-17, the Oregon Assoc. of Nurseries puts on the Yard, Garden & Patio Show (www.ygpshow.com) in Portland, followed the next weekend (Feb. 20-24) by the Northwest Flower & Garden Show (gardenshow.com) in Seattle. I’m speaking at both, and it gives me a great view of the gardening public and what everyone is looking forward to (which right now, is mostly getting through this winter). It’s also a chance to see lots and lots of plants, get ideas for the garden, schmooze with gardeners and wonder which garden tool will be the hot item this year. Fabulous.
the New Year in the garden
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