I got there early on the first day and met up with Andrea Fox, who suggested we go check out Theo Chocolate. We didn't get a tour of the factory but we got to taste LOTS of chocolate. They are very generous with their samples. My fav was the curry-coconut chocolate bar. It's got so much curry, the inside of the wrapper turns yellow.
Down the street, we got a delicious lunch at Homegrown and did some shopping at bitters co, where I got an amazingly-scented container made out of cinnamon bark that I keep the sugar for my coffee in. They had some really cool cork products too.
Later that night we enjoyed a meal at Oddfellows with Katie Elzer-Peters. It was yummy. Afterwards, I managed to settle on a couple of books from Elliot Bay Books. I could've spent a small fortune in this excellently stocked bookstore. The art section was amazing. And then we topped it all off with some to-die-for ice cream at Molly Moon's. Evenings don't get much better than that.
The night of our first tour day we were wined and dined at Ravenna Gardens, a beautifully done nursery and gift shop. They've got an awesome merchandiser, everything looked wonderful.
I believe they also design the plantings at the mall where the store is located. People, you don't see mall plantings like this everyday. I was blown away. Kudos to the mall management for stepping out of the box and going beyond horrible old mall plantings.
Andrea and I were taken with this gigantic Heuchera. One leaf was larger than both of Andrea's hands!
Next up is Dragonfly Farms Nursery on Bainbridge Island, who hosted our last-evening party. I hate to put them at the end of the post. I feel like they deserve a post of their own. The nursery is certainly worth the trip alone out to the island. They have great plants. I found one plant that I had been looking for for years. And the demonstration gardens! Oh my goodness! Well, have a look for yourself:
Somebody please tell me what this plant is!
I unfortunately had to leave early to catch a plane. It was torture having to run through this nursery quickly and not get to investigate every little detail! I'm so glad I got to visit though and I can't wait to get back!
I've really enjoyed your late posts, as a reminder of the fun I had at the Fling. Also, you've given me some good ideas for interesting places to go in Seattle, next time I go into town.
ReplyDeleteLET'S GO BACK!!! what a great trip, i really enjoyed hanging out with you kelly! now that things are slowing down in the garden world, maybe i'll be better about keeping up in blog land... so sorry to be late to your party! do you have an email subscribe button? i need it!
ReplyDeleteas always - great captures of those pretty spaces. your eye for detail (and timing - whoa chicken!) is impeccable.
That big plant in the keg definitely looks similar to a Tetrapanax which is in the Aralia family. The leaves aren't quite right but perhaps some close relation.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you got to see some cool gardens!
The big leafed plant is Schefflera Macrophylla :)
ReplyDelete