The Chrysanthemum Festival Floral Design Showcase at Lan Su Chinese Garden

I do love a tradition, an annual marker of time, something that stirs memories of where you were (mentally, physically, emotionally, professionally) at the same time of the year, in prior years. The Chrysanthemum Festival Floral Design Showcase at Lan Su is that for me. I've walked the paths of this garden—stopping to appreciate the design work of local florists—on the first or second weekend in November for at some 10 years now (my 2015 post)...

I had a lot on my mind as I entered the garden, both current thoughts, and heavy memories of last year's visit, which took place right after Donald Trump had been voted into the office of the Presidency. Thankfully, as gardens allow, I was able to relax into the moment and leave most of that behind. 

Here a close up of "Deafening Silence" by Thang Ngo. I should note I didn't photograph all 22 of the arrangements in the showcase, just the ones that spoke to me.

"Circle of Renewal" by Mailani Souza, Moss Agate Floral. It feels ridiculous to admit, but I completely missed that the center S was a snake shape when I was looking at it in person. I'll blame the fact there was a guided tour group on my heels and I was distracted by the chatter.

I was also hyper focused on the circle and the materials used there.

"Portland's Noble Gentlemums" by Anna Arkhangelskaya, Floralia.a. I was having a real issue with that turquoise moss until I read the piece was inspired by Monet's "Bed of Chrysanthemums"—still I think it could have been toned down a bit.

In some of the displays you might notice lights, the big event for this showcase is the "Nights of the Golden Flower" from 5-7pm, a separate ticket event. I've never attended in the evening, I'm sure it's lovely.

"Autumn's Last Dance: a Chrysanthemum Symphony" by Kim Foren, Geranium Lake Flowers. This was my favorite of them all.

There were so many details to soak in, and it was perfectly matched to it's location in the garden.

(peonies mixed with mums, autumn and spring...)

Honestly this design had me scheming on a party in my garden where I could put together something like this. Next summer!

Looking back...

"Let Your Light Shine" by Ellen Hansen, Mindful Flowers.

At first I thought the big white mum was an odd choice, then I read the title of the piece and realized it was perfect.

I especially loved the supporting bits of berry-colored mums and the splash of the same berry color on the foliage.

"Chrysanthemum Chorus" by Annie Chen, Floral Sunshine. I felt a little awkward photographing while she was still putting together the display, then again it was after 12:30 and the garden opened at 10. 

She was nothing but friendly and welcoming, chatting with everyone who came up to watch her work. 

"Seasonal Suspense" by Lauren Say, say_flwrks.

At first I wasn't sure what I thought, but the more I looked, the more I loved. 

"Rhythm of Absent Love" by Ashley Ramona Preece, Glasshaus Gardens.

Another design that was really one with it's place in the garden. I think this was my second favorite.

"Home" by Emily Thompson, Hazy Daisy Floral Co.

"Smattering" by Jayme Rabenberg, Bloommonger.

As I left the garden—after an hour and a half of wandering this city-block sized space—I turned back to notice that Annie Chen was still working on her "Chrysanthemum Chorus," I can completely relate Annie! 

On Friday I'll have a look at the plants in the garden that caught my eye during this visit.

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The Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden at the end of September

On my way back to Portland from Seattle in September I paid a visit to the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden in Federal Way. Since I've written about this garden numerous times I tried to photograph things I haven't shared before, or if I had to capture them in a new way. Then of course there are a few old favorites that I can't help but track...

We start at the planting area in front of the Rutherford Conservatory.

Growing over the rock wall is Microcachrys tetragona, aka the creeping strawberry pine, which doesn't produce strawberries and isn't a pine.

It's in the Podocarpaceae family and those are cones, not fruit. Such an unusual plant.

Adiantum aleuticum var. subpumilim

Something about the leaves of this plant reminds me of a Banksia, do you see it?

I had to ask Emily Joseph (assistant nursery and retail sales manager at the garden) what it is... Lysionotus pauciflorus, it's a Gesneriad (African Violet family)! The Cistus Nursery description: "Another intriguing gesneriad, this with deeply lobed shiny leaves, to about 18” frequently adorned with lavender-purple "snapdragons”. A very good plant indoors anywhere, or outdoors where temperatures do not fall below the upper 20sF. We find it is vigorous enough to make a very good pot stuffer for shady situations. Keep from the hottest of sun and place on a saucer of damp gravel if used as an indoor plant. Frost hardy to 25 F, USDA zone 9b." 

I guess I won't be planting it out in my garden. Oh well...

I love the low-growing assortment of textures in this area (still in front of the conservatory).

And who wouldn't want a rock wall you can plant in?

I also love these trough planters and they were looking especially fetching during my visit. Asplenium ceterach...

Cheilanthes argentea (on the left)

Cassiope, maybe C. ‘Askival’

Such cute little dried blooms.

I think that's another Cassiope on the left, and Adiantum aleuticum var. subpumilim on the right.

We're inside the conservatory now, the strappy plant in the middle of this photo is a Curculigo sp.

I believe that grass-like plant growing on the tower is Pyrrosia angustissima...

It was offered through the RSBG Fall Catalogue, but I'm not a member and by the time it was open to the public it was sold out. 

I wasn't too sad about it, since I wasn't 100% sure I liked it. Then I saw it at a friend's garden (she'd received her catalogue order) and instant plant lust and jealousy washed over me. Photo of her plant...

Moving on, big sigh, moss makes everything better.

I do not know what this sweet fern is, but since we're still in the conservatory I wonder if it's not hardy?

Pyrrosia species SEH#15113 (in the catalogue and still available).

I love this Pyrrosia so much!

Another Pyrrosia, maybe P. sp. SEH#12547.

Out of the conservatory now, Kirengeshoma palmata, I think?

Pyrrosia sheareri, of course.

Wowsa! I still sometimes struggle with pink and orange together but this Magnolia sieboldii cone is working it.

Okay yes, I've shared these before, Pyrrosia logs.

I reminder to myself that I need to do more of this!

In the stumpery...

Goodyera oblongifolia, aka rattlesnake orchid.

Rhododendron cardiobasis

Another of the Pyrrosia log/stump plantings that I must visit.

We're back in the RSBG nursery now where I was admiring the increased offerings (including some Little Prince plants). Love the backlit Eucomis with Cheilanthes sieberi.

And it was great to see Pellaea atropurpurea there too! I shared my haul back in an earlier post, but if you're curious I came home with a Rhododendron yuanbaoshanense, a Rhododendron pseudochrysanthum and a Aeschynanthus sp.

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