Re: new question

**R* M* M* <r*@comcast.net>**

I can speak regarding The Northwest flower & Garden show in Seattle  
and some of this holds for The San Francisco Flower show. The Shows  
are owned by Salmon Bay Productions  which offers a stipend based  
upon square footage. In Seattle we have onsite access to sawdust and  
mulch. Hort program students from Lake Washington Technical College  
assist with plant and tree forcing and lend a hand with installation.  
In San Francisco, a stipend is provided and other help from the show  
but there is not a nearby hort program to help with plants and  
installation. Since the show is later, going on now, their warmer  
temperatures make plants less of an issue. I could not have done four  
gardens in Seattle without the extra help. Of course the last one was  
to promote Plant A Row for the Hungry and we had incredible help from  
gardenwriters, Ed Hume Seeds and his trucks, and Washington Master  
Gardeners. Because of this we received a gold medal and the People's  
Choice award! Both these groups often have university students  
designing a garden, Seattle Tilth often does a garden, different  
commercial types and non commercial groups make for an interesting mix.
Anyway, it would seem if Chicago wants a first class show then they  
need to provide a stipend. Putting a show garden together is  
expensive and demanding. When there is no help at all designers tend  
to resort to hardscape, which seldom fosters a dreamy spring like mood.
Rose Marie Nichols McGee
Nichols Garden Nursery
Albany, OR
www.nicholsgardennursery.com
On Mar 15, 2008, at 5:33 AM, Carolyn Ulrich wrote:

> I have a flower show question. I have heard that at....Philadelphia?
> Chelsea? ....landscape designers that sign on to present a garden are
> given a handsome stipend to help with the cost. Out here in Chicago,
> some presenters for the flower show manage to get outside
> sponsorship, but the significant financial investment prevents many
> quality people from getting involved. Then attendees complain that
> the show is too commercial.
>
> This seems to be a persistent problem here. We have lots of terrific
> designers and fine garden centers/nurseries, plus three major public
> gardens. Most of them aren't interested in participating in the
> flower show and I think the main reason is they don't want to spend
> the money. But my impression is that designers/growers etc. would
> kill to get into Philadelphia and Chelsea. Why the difference? Are
> they getting financial support from the RHS and/or the Penn. Hort.
> Society?
>
> Carolyn Ulrich
>
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