Billy Derian, host of DIY Network’s tear-it-up hit “Extra Yardage,” headlines the Yard, Garden Patio Show this year, but the gardens star, too. Seven designers took on the assignment to create displays of “Gardens Through the Ages.” Interpretations ranged from the romance of the past to the possibilities of tomorrow.
Find out which the judges prefer and vote for your favorite during the show’s run Friday-Sunday, Feb. 8-10. While you’re at it, catch one of almost 50 seminars, watch a cooking demonstration by local chefs and, of course, do some shopping.
— Kym Pokorny; On Twitter
LMeyer Design, 503-705-5511; and JP Stone Contractors, 503-209-5982
Not Your Father’s Garden: Designer Linda Meyer intends to show a garden of the future created with materials of yesterday. The image begins with a snapshot of Dad flipping burgers on the barbecue, surrounded by lawn that’s edged in junipers. For the new garden, out go the lawn and the junipers, but remnants of five Weber barbecues remain, turned into vessels for fire and water as the centerpiece of the garden.
Red Bird Restorative Gardens, 503-887-3439; and Living Color Landscape Nursery, 503-678-3364
Thrive Outside: P. Annie Kirk interprets the theme “Gardening Through the Ages” with a garden for our ages, one that reflects how we live through the stages of life. Sand forts, hideouts, wishing trees, a swing, fire and water — playgrounds for kids and adults — come to a crossroads made of a rectangular deck inlaid with swirls of Irish moss in what she calls a “fleur de floor.”
Aspen Creek Landscaping, 503-625-6888
A Glimpse Back to the Fifties: The calm of the ’50s comes back to life in a garden made for people to relax in sundresses and slacks with their martinis and Coca-Colas. An amoeba-shaped planting bed centered in the geometry of a patio reflects the yin and yang design of midcentury.
Dennis’ 7 Dees Landscaping, 503-777-7777.
Sentimental Journey: For his design, Corey Verch reached into the romantic era of the late-18th to mid-19th century when public gardens in the U.S. were coming into their own. A casual, arbor-covered path curves along a reflecting pool, eventually leading to a circle of stone floating on the water.
Live chat at noon Friday: The Oregonian’s garden writer, Kym Pokorny, will take your questions and comments online during the Yard, Garden Patio Show. She’ll also be posting updates, sharing photos from the Convention Hall floor and revealing trends, cool ideas and other tidbits.
YARD, GARDEN PATIO SHOW
WHEN: 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 8, and Saturday, Feb. 9; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 10
WHERE: Oregon Convention Center, 777 N.E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
PUBLIC TRANSIT AND PARKING: Several TriMet bus routes stop near the convention center, and MAX light rail goes right to its door. Convention center parking lot is a daily maximum of $9.
TICKETS: $12 at the door, 12 and younger free; $7 in advance at Dennis’ 7 Dees while supply lasts; for locations, go to dennis7dees.com, click on garden centers and then locations, or call 503-777-1421.
INFORMATION: ygpshow.com, 503-682-5089, 800-342-6401
HIGHLIGHTS:
— Billy Derian, host of DIY’s “Extra Yardage,” interacts with the audience on the show floor.
— Displays of seven gardens designed around the theme “Gardens Through the Ages” and a contemporary urban edible garden.
— Plant sale.
— Cracked Pots art sale.
— About 50 free seminars, featuring ever-popular plant collector Dan Hinkley; Cistus Nursery owner Sean Hogan; Joe Creek’s Maurice Horn; always-amusing Dan Heims, owner of Terra Nova Nurseries; Debra Prinzing, author of the new books “The 50 Mile Bouquet” and “Slow Flowers”; clematis expert Linda Beutler; celebrity radio host Mike Darcy; Willi Galloway, author of “Grow Cook Eat: A Food-Lover’s Guide to Vegetable Gardening”; garden designer Lucy Hardiman; and Richie Steffen for the Great Plant Picks program.
SHOW-GOING TIPS
— Search out nearby restaurants or bring your own snacks. You don’t even want to know how much you’ll spend at the shows.
— Bring along a backpack or large bag to collect information and small items.
— Wear comfortable shoes.
— Use your smartphone or camera to record the ideas you’d like to copy or follow up on.
— Bring a notepad and pen.
— Make it easy on yourself by checking plants you buy at the holding station so you don’t have to carry them while enjoying the show. Or shop at the end of your visit.
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