#bolo tie

Last weekend I visited the Philadelphia Flower Show with the partner in crime.  I went for the first time in 2014 and thought it was very impressive.  This year I didn’t care for most of the big displays, but really enjoyed the small plant based crafts (like the cute little guy above made out of pressed flowers and leaves).  Having studied sculpture in college, I really enjoyed the 3D pieces made from plant materials.  Reading the critique from the judges was also very entertaining.

When making jewelry, the artists were able to cheat by painting the plant bits, but it is still pretty cool that this is all made from seeds and such.  I love that this was a competition and hope someday to be friends with people that create these items.

I think the 2D work made from pressed flowers was very interesting.  I remember pressing flowers when I was a kid and think that I should revisit it this year when things start growing! 

Aside from the art exhibits, there was also the plant competition.  I love looking at all of the specimens that people bring.  My one complaint about this show was the lighting throughout that area.  There were intense blue lights over most of the plant exhibits and it made everything look strange.  I have color corrected my photos to try and compensate, but in person it was pretty odd.  Even so, this crested Pachypodium Lamerei was pretty incredible.

I have had a soft spot for Bowiea volubilis ever since I encountered them at the 2014 Flower Show.  Mine is only about an inch in diameter, but it has big aspirations.  Here are a few from this year:

I will now end this post with a ridiculous cactus…