The 2018 Newport Flower Show
This summer, I hope you'll have the opportunity to visit at least one beautiful flower show.
Last week, Kevin Sharkey and I traveled to Rhode Island to attend the 23rd annual Newport Flower Show hosted by The Preservation Society of Newport County at the magnificent Rosecliff Mansion. Newport is a beautiful place to visit. Famous for its stunning shorelines, ocean views, and gilded homes, this city is really an American treasure. The theme of this year's event was “Cottages: Smart & Small” - inspired by the “tiny house” movement emphasizing simple, compact living. The show featured garden displays, colorful floral designs, and many horticultural exhibits indoors and out. Kevin and I were honored to participate in a book signing and lecture. All proceeds from the Newport Flower Show benefit the ongoing landscape and restoration efforts of The Preservation Society of Newport County, which owns and operates Rosecliff.
Here are some photos - enjoy. Tomorrow, I will share images from some of the beautiful gardens I visited while in the Newport area.
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- Rosecliff is one of the Gilded Age mansions of Newport, now open to the public as a historic house museum. The principal architect, Stanford White, modeled the mansion after the Grand Trianon of Versailles. For this event, tents were set-up on Rosecliff’s lawn – it was a beautiful day. (Photo courtesy of The Preservation Society of Newport County)
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- Here I am with Kevin, Trudy Coxe, CEO and Executive Director of The Preservation Society of Newport County, and Patricia Fernandez, chairwoman of the Flower Show.
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- Here is one of several walking green “tree ladies” provided by Ten31 from Providence. They featured what is called a “tableaux vivant” meaning living picture act for guests. https://www.ten31productions.com/
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- The Flower Show also featured six “tiny houses” to complement this year’s theme. Each house was displayed with its own sustainable outdoor garden. (Photo courtesy of The Preservation Society of Newport County)
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- This garden was created by Norwood Evening Garden Club in Norwood, Massachusetts. (Photo courtesy of The Preservation Society of Newport County)
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- Here are the “tree ladies” walking through the venue – everyone loved their costumes. (Photo courtesy of The Preservation Society of Newport County)
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- The giant chair was another nod to the show’s theme, “Cottages: Smart & Small” – it highlighted sustainable and smart lifestyles.
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- There were about 90 different vendors that participated at the show. The front lawn of Rosecliff was designated the Home & Garden Marketplace. In this area, there were lots of outdoor gardening items for sale such as these trellises from Trellisman in Lakeville, Massachusetts.
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- An area for Oceanside Boutiques was on the back lawn. These vendors sold more decorative accessories, such as these glass containers from Iannazzi in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
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- Here are some colored glass containers also from Iannazzi.
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- Inside the mansion, there were lovely floral displays and submissions for the annual botanical competitions. (Photo courtesy of The Preservation Society of Newport County)
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- This display by Deborah Horton was part of “Smart & Succulent” class. It includes a collection of air plants. (Photo courtesy of The Preservation Society of Newport County)
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- This is by Tracey Burhoe of Ashland, New Hampshire. It includes hosta leaves, begonia leaves, calla lilies, and ivy. It won a ‘best in show’ award for floral design. (Photo courtesy of The Preservation Society of Newport County)
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- More than eight-thousand people attended the show at Rosecliff. (Photo courtesy of The Preservation Society of Newport County)
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- This colorful display is by Michelle Mensinger in Derry, New Hampshire. It includes roses, gladiolas, and yarrow. It received the Newport Flower Show new exhibitor award for floral design and most distinctive entry by a first-time exhibitor.
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- Here is one by Anne L. May, in Santa Fe, New Mexico. It was part of the “Smart & Sublime” category – it includes sublime roses, chrysanthemums, air plants, orchids, clematis, and seeded eucalyptus. (Photo courtesy of The Preservation Society of Newport County)
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- This floral piece was created by Susan Dewey, in Cape Cod, Massachusetts for the “Smart & Sunny” class. Her arrangement has triple stargazer lilies, roses, and lots of sun-loving flowers. (Photo courtesy of The Preservation Society of Newport County)
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- Here is another display in the “Smart & Sublime” class from Margaret Kincheloe of Massachusetts.
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- And here is the big winner created by Patricia Fernandez of Newport, Rhode Island in the class, “Smart & Social”. It includes tomato plants and fruit in a playful tribute to the show’s founder, Dodo Hamilton, showing a full life cycle – plant, flower, fruit, and soup. It was the winner of three major awards: Garden Club of America Certificate of Excellence in Floral Design; National Garden Club Award in Floral Design and the Corinne Clarke Reynolds’ Trophy for best interpretation of a class title in the Design Division.
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- There were also lovely bud displays – here is a table of roses. Each variety was placed in separate vase. (Photo courtesy of The Preservation Society of Newport County)
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- This table showed various hosta leaves – it is such a great way to learn about the different varieties of hosta.
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- And here is a glossary of ferns.
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- This robin was the winner of the Newport Flower Show Botanical Arts Award. It was created by Sue Cram of New Hampton, New Hampshire.
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- The next day, Kevin and I attended a wonderful luncheon served under a tent on the front lawn of Rosecliff. Each table was given copies of our latest issue of “Living”. (Photo courtesy of The Preservation Society of Newport County)
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- We enjoyed delicious baby beet, heirloom tomato, bruatta salad with grilled gulf shrimp. We also had grilled watermelon “pizza” with arugula, prosciutto and feta. for dessert – strawberry and meringue pavlova. (Photo courtesy of The Preservation Society of Newport County)
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- During the luncheon, Kevin and I participated in a discussion moderated by Preservation Society Executive Director, Trudy Coxe. We talked about “Martha’s Flowers” and took questions from guests. (Photo courtesy of The Preservation Society of Newport County)
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- I always enjoy answering gardening inquiries from guests – it gives me the opportunity to share all the many things I have learned from horticulturists and garden designers over the years. (Photo courtesy of The Preservation Society of Newport County)
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- Kevin shares a my great passion for flowers. We always have a lot of fun talking at these events. (Photo courtesy of The Preservation Society of Newport County)
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- The audience was terrific – it is always a pleasure to speak to such enthusiastic crowd. (Photo courtesy of The Preservation Society of Newport County)
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- Here are two guests who bought multiple copies of “Martha’s Flowers” – it makes a great gift.
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- Kevin and I signed dozens and dozens of books. (Photo courtesy of The Preservation Society of Newport County)
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- Here is another happy “Martha’s Flowers” customer. Do you have your copy? https://www.amazon.com/Marthas-Flowers-Practical-Gathering-Enjoying/dp/0307954773
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- Rosecliff looks out onto Sheep Point Cove – a lovely venue for this wonderful event. (Photo courtesy of The Preservation Society of Newport County)
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