Every February at the Seattle Conventions Center, you can find magnificent garden displays to remind yourself that Spring is coming and to ignite inspiration for your own gardening projects.
The Northwest Flower and Garden Festival is going on from February 14-18, 2024. I had the chance to preview some of the garden displays — the gallery below is a glimpse at some of the exhibits.
Of course, in addition to the wonderful displays which far exceed anything I plan to do with my own yard, you’ll also find a weekend full of lectures where you can learn an abundant variety of gardening skills as well as a full hall of vendors.
This year’s festival, as usual, has some astounding displays. There wasn’t an “extra” theme this year as there was in 2019 when I went to the festival to see the “Fleurs Coutures” exhibit (though I did spy one floral dress outside of the festival proper).
My favorite was The Secret Garden — a veritable fairyland full of little fairy doors and waterfalls, all housed in a giant stump. Perfect for those of us who love hobbit-y places.
2024 Northwest Flower and Garden Festival Gallery
Hover over the images in the gallery below to learn more. Click the image if you’d like a closer look.
A sign at the 2024 Northwest Flower and Garden Festival confesses its love of Spring. I identify with this!
A sign at the 2024 Northwest Flower and Garden Festival confesses its love of Spring. I identify with this!
The Secret Garden at the 2024 Northwest Flower and Garden Festival by Nature Perfect Landscape and Design is a fairyland (how many fairy doors can you find?) and perfect for those of us who love hobbit-y houses.
The Secret Garden at the 2024 Northwest Flower and Garden Festival by Nature Perfect Landscape and Design is a fairyland (how many fairy doors can you find?) and perfect for those of us who love hobbit-y houses.
One of the many fairy doors in the Secret Garden
One of the many fairy doors in the Secret Garden
A full view from the outside of The Secret Garden at the 2024 Northwest Flower and Garden festival reveals that these many waterfalls and fairy doors all live inside a great stump.
A full view from the outside of The Secret Garden at the 2024 Northwest Flower and Garden festival reveals that these many waterfalls and fairy doors all live inside a great stump.
This is the retreat I'd want for my yard if I had the space! It features an upscale shed that matches the "writer's hut" I once dreamed about putting in my yard and an outdoor sitting area. The garden was created by Garden Girls LLC (gardengirl.com), Association of Professional Landscape Designers, and McAuliffe's Valley Nursery.
This is the retreat I'd want for my yard if I had the space! It features an upscale shed that matches the "writer's hut" I once dreamed about putting in my yard and an outdoor sitting area. The garden was created by Garden Girls LLC (gardengirl.com), Association of Professional Landscape Designers, and McAuliffe's Valley Nursery.
A closer look at the garden retreat.
A closer look at the garden retreat.
A comfortable sitting area at the garden retreat.
A comfortable sitting area at the garden retreat.
The "garden girl" (gardengirl.com) Denise Ashley shows off her garden -- and her tattoo -- for a fellow photographer at the 2024 Northwest Flower and Garden Festival.
The "garden girl" (gardengirl.com) Denise Ashley shows off her garden -- and her tattoo -- for a fellow photographer at the 2024 Northwest Flower and Garden Festival.
Dreamscapes by the Sea designed by Deby Kohlwes features a wonderful greenhouse from Hartley Botanic.
Dreamscapes by the Sea designed by Deby Kohlwes features a wonderful greenhouse from Hartley Botanic.
On one side of Dreamscapes by the Sea, you'll find a large wood eagle sculpture fountain.
On one side of Dreamscapes by the Sea, you'll find a large wood eagle sculpture fountain.
Part of the Dreamscapes by the Sea garden, this round tank, empty during the media tour of the festival, will house a live jellyfish during the actual festival.
Part of the Dreamscapes by the Sea garden, this round tank, empty during the media tour of the festival, will house a live jellyfish during the actual festival.
A spiral fountain at the Dreamscapes by the Sea garden (I believe)
A spiral fountain at the Dreamscapes by the Sea garden (I believe)
The Game Night garden features a firepit ready for a backyard marshmallow toast.
The Game Night garden features a firepit ready for a backyard marshmallow toast.
Plunge into Spring by Michael Orr and Method Hardscapes features an inviting pool area. A lovely touch in this garden is the purple lighting.
Plunge into Spring by Michael Orr and Method Hardscapes features an inviting pool area. A lovely touch in this garden is the purple lighting.
Our media tour guide at the festival continually emphasized the importance of slow moving water for attracting pollinators to the garden. This tranquil stone display is one such example.
Our media tour guide at the festival continually emphasized the importance of slow moving water for attracting pollinators to the garden. This tranquil stone display is one such example.
Forest Bathing by Kate David takes the term literally with this wood burning hot tub.
Forest Bathing by Kate David takes the term literally with this wood burning hot tub.
The wood burning hot tub features a platform to have tea during your soak.
The wood burning hot tub features a platform to have tea during your soak.
The Forest Bathing garden beautifully shows off a selection of teas. Though I don't think I'd want to store them outside like this for the long-term.
The Forest Bathing garden beautifully shows off a selection of teas. Though I don't think I'd want to store them outside like this for the long-term.
Fungus was among us as the 2024 Flower and Garden Festival with many types to be found. This was one of the more colorful examples.
Fungus was among us as the 2024 Flower and Garden Festival with many types to be found. This was one of the more colorful examples.
Lighting shows off mushrooms in the Secret Garden display.
Lighting shows off mushrooms in the Secret Garden display.
Our tour guide said that John Coghlan, creator of the Harvesting Beauty display, took his Vashon Garden and just brought it all here. Not sure about that...but the greenhouse is wonderful -- full of mossy overhead logs with orchids.
Our tour guide said that John Coghlan, creator of the Harvesting Beauty display, took his Vashon Garden and just brought it all here. Not sure about that...but the greenhouse is wonderful -- full of mossy overhead logs with orchids.
I BELIEVE this is How much she loves us by Jen Szabo design. I love this rustic wood shed with its lighted heart motif on one side.
I BELIEVE this is How much she loves us by Jen Szabo design. I love this rustic wood shed with its lighted heart motif on one side.
A wheelbarrow full of daffodils.
A wheelbarrow full of daffodils.
You'd think this waterfall was something you'd see on your hike. But it's on display at the 2024 Flower and Garden Festival and could be built in your backyard (if you had the space).
You'd think this waterfall was something you'd see on your hike. But it's on display at the 2024 Flower and Garden Festival and could be built in your backyard (if you had the space).
A recycled beam makes a lovely water feature.
A recycled beam makes a lovely water feature.
If you don't have an actual apple tree in your yard?
If you don't have an actual apple tree in your yard?
The Northwest Flower and Garden festival always takes place near Valentine's Day. This heart motif outside the festival proper is a reminder.
The Northwest Flower and Garden festival always takes place near Valentine's Day. This heart motif outside the festival proper is a reminder.
This flower dress reminds me of the Fleur Couture display at the 2019 Flower and Garden Festival
This flower dress reminds me of the Fleur Couture display at the 2019 Flower and Garden Festival
Again, a reminder that Spring is coming.
Again, a reminder that Spring is coming.
You can also learn more about each of these displays at gardenshow.com.
