I didn't go and I am jealous!! It is my dream to someday go, but something always comes up it seems. I'm glad to know it is awesome because it makes me look forward to it that much more....

Yes. I was there yesterday for the afternoon and evening.I wanted to hear the owner of Nurseries Caroliniana give his talk about new introductions. It was fascinating. Many ideas.

I personally did not find many of the displays very imaginative or "new". The ones I liked best were Brooks Garcia's incredible tribute to Saint Fiarce, George Sanko's ferns for sun (I will go hear him talk about this on Saturday), the Garden club of Georgia's lovely herb display, and the garden which was made by the Food Bank. There was also a small display by a group of people who are working towards housing for the homeless. It could have been a very innovative display but because they were simply flying on donations, it is more of a description of what they plan to do.
I enjoyed the displays of cut evergreen samplings too. I learned about a few new plants. However, for the most part the displays were made of up of "usual" evergreen material and manufactured stone products.

Landreth seeds was there selling seed. I bought some, and I encourage everyone who goes to buy some too! They were reasonably priced, and it was nice to see a booth of seeds amongst the few real garden related vendors.

My favorite display was the take on French New Orleans. Not that Delphiniums grow in New Orleans (this was a fantasy display ) - but the whole thing looked like it was made by hand and a labor of love.

The speakers are pretty good this year. I'm off to see Armitage in the AM.
GGG

My wife and I have not missed the show in years. Alas, this will be the first. We were unimpressed last year and the shopping is not as good as it once was. Too high dollar and touristy. Seems to us when the show moved downtown it became far too commercial. We want to find a show where we can see the work of some talented smaller landscapers, down home creativity, and get good bargains in the "mall" like we used to. Anyone know of a show like that in the SE?

With all the high prices of the merchandize being offered there and the "usual" evergreen material, I still love the show. Love to feast my eyes on many fresh beautiful flowers. Admire the work of garden designers. Get ideas on creating a garden of my dreams. Enjoy the beautiful music played by gifted pianists. Browse thru so many great gardening books and meeting the authors. Averall, it is usually a very special and happy day for me, and I am greatful.
~Natalie

We are going tomorrow. I am trying to decide if we can go after church and still have enough time to do it right. I think they are open till 6 if I get there around 1:00 pm I going to feel like I don't have enough time? I usually like to take my time at these things. I am so in need of gardening "fix" in the middle of this cold spell.

Kathy, be careful about going so late on the closing day. I'm sure things will be winding down and some smaller exhibits might even start packing up. It does close at 6 pm.

If you need a fix, don't forget the Native Plant Symposium on Saturday, March 10. At the rate we're going, looks like it will still be cold then! Brrrrrrrr.

The 2007 SEFS is now history, but it closed on a sour note for a friend of mine. She had many plants entered in competition in several divisions and at the close of the show, she gathered all of them in an area near the exit and went to get her car. Upon returning, she found that all, not one or two, but everyone of them were gone! She questioned everyone in the area, no one admitted that they saw who took them. A diligent search turned up nothing. They were gone, apparently stolen!
I wish she had not mentioned it to me, as those type of things make me very sad.
RB

I feel badly for the lady amd can empathize with her, as I have lost many plants to thieves that raid my garden while we are away. Naturally, they seem to prefer the more rare, choice plants and especially if they are in bloom. If planted in an expensive decorative pot, that will almost surely insure that they will be stolen.
I don't refer to those type of people as gardeners, only as what they are: THIEVES!
Rb

I went to this flower show this year courtesy of the Atlanta Food Bank. I was a docent for their display and it was tons of fun. I spoke with someone who wanted to start a new community garden near Candler Park with some residents of Reynoldstown; also a woman who was collecting information for her friend who teaches about gardening and landscaping skills to prisoners in Alabama, etc.

Brooks Garcia's display, The Garden at St. Fiacre, was out of this world. I went home thinking about how when I'm rich I'm going to hire him to do my front yard. That was my fave, and I also enjoyed the Legacy garden very much--it was created for the Shepherd Center and was gardening for handicapped, wheelchair bound individuals. It included a waist-high teeny-tiny garden that was quite an inspiration.

I did enjoy the New Orleans mardi-gras themed garden -- ggg, you are so right about the delphiniums, that is exactly what I was thinking!

So it was fun. I didn't buy anything except snacks and drinks so all the better. I keep thinking how lovely it would be to attend the Perennial Plant society meetings. Their heuchera display was modest but I liked it and the people.

Rose

If anyone wanted the list for UGA's "Growing Lavender in the South" display, I can get a copy for you. I was one of the students that manned the display (Sat from 11-4).
Erin