Wrapping Up Raleigh – Really!

I do n’t rush into procrastination — I let my to - do list mellow like a ok vino . But I ’ve just set up Lightroom 2 on my Mac laptop and I ’m finally keep one’s nose to the grindstone through close to a 800 images I snapped in Raleigh , NC , in late September . As you might recall from a few of my recent TV blogs ( cow poop , coyote pee , figure lessons ) , that ’s where I attended this class ’s Garden Writers Association ( GWA ) symposium .

The gathering was attend by more than 600 garden communicators — print writers , bloggers , photographers , publish coach and a heapin ’ helpin ’ of nice folk . The five - sidereal day event was a symmetricalness of informative seminar , garden tour and lots of networking . These images capture a few of the high spot of the trip . Share in the playfulness .

Bad Omen at 60,000 Feet !

There ’s something minatory about being en road to a writer ’s conference and having my pen excuse itself right in my hand . “ What ’s that Mr. Pen ? There are dingy forces awaiting me in Raleigh . ” I mustered my inner strong point and decided not to call for the pilot to turn around . My inner Jedi would guide me .

Twittero , ergo sum

What a kick , fulfil so many multitude I had pass with in 140 - fictional character burst ! Everyone had real live heads , not those quarter - in avatars I witness on my screen . And at the quip of sunset , right-hand on cue , this west coast boy heard his first every symphony of cicadas .

Here ’s Helen ( right ) with blogger and podcaster extraordinaire Jean Van Krevelen ( tweeting @jeanannvk ) .

Luscious Pots

This little vignette of Sedum ‘ Angelina ’ and yet - to - bloom Sweet William Dianthus caryophyllus was one of the graceful touch along Fayetteville Street . The landscape gardening was a taste-tester of container garden sweet overrun with killer combos .

Pah Rump a Pum Pum

On my first foray into the Raleigh Convention Center , what should greet me but this bright colored painting ? I ’ve been sleep together on my drumfish since I was five , so I appreciate the personalise welcoming touch .

Vroom Vrooooooom

The weekend would have been a sociologist ’s delight as steno - pad carrying garden writers and leather - adorn bikers intermingled in the third house and elevators of the top - snick Marriott City Center Hotel . It was the weekend of 5th Annual Ray Price Capital City Bikefest , sodding with brawn music and vender of every imaginable bike accessory . I skipped the alien food booths and their deeply - electrocute Oreos — seriously .

On The Road Again

Picture hundreds of esurient garden writer and shutterbugs packed into tour bus . The tumult of conversation swim out the well - intentioned local guide . The door bust heart-to-heart . A ravenous horde descended on the meticulously curry garden , look to suck the ambrosia of plump history idea and juicy photographs .

The JC Raulston Arboretum was my favorite stop . Their website describes it as “ … an 8 - Accho jewel that has been largely construct and maintained by NC State University students , module , volunteers , and faculty . The Arboretum is named in honour of its late music director and founding father , J. C. Raulston , Ph.D. , who founded it in 1976 . ”

If you subsist in the Raleigh area and have not visited the garden , move it up on your lean and become a confirm member . They have an ambitious overlord plan and generous and dedicated volunteers . If you ’re visiting the area cover yourself to a display of over 5000 kinds of industrial plant .

The master program

I really cognise this plant life ! Salvia mexicana ‘ Limelight ’ . Grows in NC and in Santa Barbara !

Feeling correctly at home with Canna Intrigue . Another semitropic favourite .

My Peeps !

The professional , kind , friendly , informed , generous members of GWA make the organization welcome and worthwhile . I joined 18 months ago when I was a fledgling blogger writing for a few twelve eyeballs . On a caprice , I managed a last min registration to the 2008 Portland symposium and find myself in a new world , bashfully putting my short toe in the big ocean of garden authorship .

I have no mind where this speculation will take me , but at a time in my life when I ’m changing careers and reprogramming Billy version 2.0 , I ’ve notice that the folks I ’ve met through GWA are my reason for optimism .

If you enjoy writing , consider joining . You ’ll be welcomed with open arms .

Nan Sterman ( PlantSoup.com and author of California Gardener ’s Guide Volume II ) on the left , and Debra Prinzing ( 2009 GWA Best Book honor winner for Stylish Sheds and Elegant Hideaways : Big Ideas for Small Backyard Destinations ) have been my committal to writing mentors , cherry-red pens always at the ready .

Shirley Bovshow took the symposium by tempest , launching her new on - line TV speculation , Garden World Report , on the last dark of the outcome . endure cyclosis video with my as her sidekick and interviews of all the honor winner . tune up her in — she ’s exchange the human face of garden communication .

o.k. Gardening recommend Products

A.M. Leonard Deluxe Soil Knife & Leather Sheath Combo

Fine horticulture receive a mission for item purchased through links on this website , include Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs .

Get our latest confidential information , how - to clause , and instructional videos sent to your inbox .

sign you up …

Pasadena Open Days Tour Part II - Urbanite!

Win a copy of Designer Plant Combinations!

Rethinking the Suburban Lawn: National Coalition Launches New Website

Flowers From A Bad Sci-Fi Flick

link up okay horticulture for a loose engaging alive webinar featuring Dr. Janna Beckerman , a renowned industrial plant pathologist as well as prof emerita at Purdue University and the ornamental expert handler …

When I spotted a particular Amandine Aurore Lucie Dupin dollar cactus ( Astrophytum asterias ) at the Philadelphia Flower Show a few months ago , I knew I was in trouble . With a delicious vividness convention …

When we only prioritize plants we want over plants our landscape need , each time of year is filled with a never - stop list of chores : pruning , crimp , watering , treating , amending , and fertilizing , with …

Video

Touring an Eco-friendly, Shady Backyard Retreat

You must be careful when you enter the backyard of garden designer Jeff Epping — not because you ’re likely to spark on something , but because you might be dive - bomb by a twain …