Upcoming Garden Design Event!

On September 24th at 12:30 p.m. at the Brown Jordan Showroom in the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood, CA, check in with GD for the following event:

INSIDE OUT: A revealing look into the ever-changing world of exterior design Join Garden Design magazine's Senior Editor Megan Padilla in the Brown Jordan showroom as she moderates a panel of design experts during an insightful discussion of the hottest room in the house--the outdoor room.

Experts on hand will include:
*Selena Souders of Big Red Sun, recently brought her brand of bold, modern and environmentally conscious design from Austin, Texas to Venice, California.
*Kimberlee Keswick, formerly of KeswickRobbins, melds her love of design with spirit and nature to create harmonious spaces.
*Stephen Block of Inner Gardens is a passionate plantsman with a highly developed sense for garden ornamentation.

Check it Out: Golden Gate Express

The Golden Gate Express™ The Conservatory of Flowers’ popular garden railway exhibit will steam back into town for the holidays this year. Last year, visitors were overwhelmingly delighted by the model trains, miniature gardens and especially to the scaled down SF landmark buildings made so cleverly from recycled materials. People were enthralled with the humorous and inventive designs of these and in response we are debuting 6 new additions for a total of 18 wonderfully eco-creative icons of the San Francisco landscape. From Ghirardelli Square to the Golden Gate Bridge, Coit Tower to Chinatown’s dragon gate, replicas of San Francisco’s most famous places have been creatively crafted from recycled and repurposed materials. Corks, wine boxes, cheese graters, cutlery and more come together to make San Francisco’s gourmet haven, the Ferry Building, and the towering Transamerica Pyramid is studded with over 600 computer keys. Debuting this year are six new landmarks including City Hall and Alamo Square’s famous Victorian Painted Ladies -- all set amongst miniature gardens and parks to create a magical setting for this special holiday eco-attraction. So, gather the family and get on track. The Conservatory of Flowers’ Golden Gate Express is a must see destination for the holidays! Click here for visitors' information.

Vote for our cover!

Garden Design's March cover is a finalist in the 2009 Best Cover contest by the American Society of Magazine Editors. The new and exciting part of the cover contest this year is that for the first time the general public will help to decide the winners. All finalists are being posted on Amazon.com so that regular folks including you can choose their favorites. Vote here.

Do It! Chicago Orchid Show

Here's a show that reminds us that fall color is no less exotic that summer. On Saturday, October 10 and Sunday, October 11, the Illinois Orchid Society presents their annual fall show, in which individual orchids in 128 classes vie for red, white and blue ribbons. Twenty-five entries will receive "best of class" green ribbons and the best appointed plant in the show will receive the Chicago Horticultural Society Award from American Orchid Society judges. Exquisite tabletop displays, from the rarest of species to cultivated hybrids, will be artistically arranged in the Greenhouse Galleries. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, October 10 and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, October 11.

More than 20 orchid vendors will sell many orchid varieties. Supplies and equipment, books, pins, clothing and the society's custom bark mix and fertilizer will also be for sale. The Illinois Orchid Society will provide repotting services for $5.

The Illinois Orchid Society holds its meetings, which are open to the public, on the second Sunday of the month. Meeting dates are subject to change. For more information on plant society meetings, call (847) 835-8284. Visit www.chicagobotanic.org/plantshows/fall for more information.

Admission to the Chicago Botanic Garden is free; select event fees apply. Parking is $20; free for Garden members. For more information about any of the Chicago Botanic Garden’s programs and events, call (847) 835-5440, or visit http://www.chicagobotanic.org/.

Do It: San Diego Orchid Fair

The splendidly colorful and intriguing San Diego International Orchid Fair will again be hosted by Quail Botanical Gardens amidst the natural horticultural setting October 2, 3 and 4, 2009. Visitors can expect to see thousands of species and hybrids, exhibits, sales, as well as lectures and official American Orchid Society (AOS) judging and ribbon judging. This is the once-a-year orchid event held in Southern California with a focus on international vendors such as those from Japan, Brazil, and other countries. General admission fees apply and are $12 for adults, $8 for seniors and active military and $6 for children ages 3-12. Children age 2 and under are free. Membership admission cost is free. $2 discount coupons are available at the Quail Botanical Gardens web site.

Photo by: Loren Batchman

Do It! The Late Show Gardens

Sonoma, California's "The Late Show Gardens" is just around the corner. Taking place September 18, 19 and 20, the show is sure to please the most discriminating garden enthusiasts, as top Bay Area designers and carefully-vetted vendors will set the bar high. Get a sneak peek in advance by attending the Preview Party, Thursday, September 17th.

Thursday, September 17th, 2009
4:30 pm – 8:30 pm
at Cornerstone Sonoma

Meet leading designers and get a special preview of our unique gardens in a beautiful landmark Sonoma setting. Beat the crowds and shop our selection of fine garden related items. Enjoy Gourmet Hors d’Oeuvres, a Hosted Wine Bar and Music, plus a Speaker Presentation at 6:30 pm. Net proceeds benefit The Trust for Public Land & The Garden Conservancy.

Do It! Naples Secret Garden

Garden Lovers of South Florida, if you haven't been out to see The Naples Secret Garden, this fall is the time. It is open every weekend from 1-4 pm, or a private showing is available upon request.

Do It: Dahlia Show

This weekend at The North Carolina Arboretum:
Saturday and Sunday September 12-13; Dahlia Show

Hundreds of dahlia blossoms in rainbow colors and multi-bloom variety bouquets are on display. Flowers are available for purchase, and Dahlia Society members offer advice and resources. Show opens on Saturday at noon (after all judging has been completed). Show runs Noon to 5:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, at the Education Center. Admission is free.

Do It! Support the High Line

If you are in New York, support of the High Line at tomorrow night's important public meeting. As the next step in the City's public review process for the Western Rail Yards rezoning, the City Planning Commission will hold a public hearing to get input.

This is a CRITICAL hearing. The rezoning will have a significant effect on the High Line, and changes can still be made which will have a positive impact on the High Line. There will be only one more public meeting prior to a final vote on this rezoning, so it is very important that we make a strong show of support at this point in the process.

Wednesday, September 9, 10:30 AM
22 Reade Street (Department of City Planning), Spector Hall
Subway: 1,2,3,A,C to Chambers Street, R,W to City Hall, 4,5,6 to Brooklyn Bridge/City Hall

Do It: Congress of Horticulture

As if a visit to Portugal's season city Lisbon isn't enough of a draw, 2010's 28th International Congress of Horticulture will bring 2,000 participants from 80 countries to discuss the theme 'Science and Horticulture for People'. Colloquia, symposia, seminars, workshops and thematic sessions focus on the scientific component of horticulture but also the interaction between scientists, producers, consumers and society-at-large.