Oh, call me Ms. Grumpy Mouse

Mr. Mouse: You haven't told me much about this year's Flower and Garden show. So, how was it?
Town Mouse: Truth be told, I thought it was a bit of a mixed bag. We came in to see the much praised "living room" with the succulent walls, and it looked like a large fabric wall hanging to me, except unfortunately they'd used some innocent plants to get that effect. Green roofs I get. Cooling, great for birds, all that. Green walls? I have trouble with that.

Mr. Mouse: Now now. you're being grumpy. Wasn't there something you liked?
Town Mouse: Both Country Mouse and I liked the colorful red snake garden. I enjoyed the attention to detail, even the plant signs had been made of concrete and hand painted.

The pots were fun, and there was a "fence" made of spades.

Mr. Mouse: That sounds like fun! 

Town Mouse: Yes, it was. I actually think this garden would have benefited by combining simple grasses or succulents with the colorful concrete surroundings. I loved it, but it was a bit like wearing a pair of red and pink plaid pants with a red and pink striped sweater. Those pants would be better with a black sweater.
Mr. Mouse: And the other gardens?
Town Mouse: For my taste, many of the other gardens were too orderly. A huge outdoor kitchen. Decks with chairs or chaises and water features. And the inevitable plants in rows syndrome that garden design currently suffers from. I actually liked the not-so-popular dinosaur garden and the garden with the treehouse. At least there were some plants there!

Mr. Mouse: Mmmm. Yes, we know you like plants. 

Town Mouse: Actually, I also very much liked the Sproutopia gardens. Look at this, not just one dinosaur but 3. 

It really was well done, the photo doesn't do it justice. I did wonder whether the kids copied the display garden or the other way around. Here, look at this other one. 

Now that's a tree house! And nice use of plants as well. And here we have the low water garden. See the California poppies they made?

And here, look at this one. Now that's how you should treat a succulent. 

Reminded me of that stunning undersea garden they had at the show years ago. That garden was clever and beautiful. And I still remember the exhibit the Bromeliad Society had at that time -- plants galore. By the way, I also liked that Sproutopia was pretty much away from the vendors. 

Mr. Mouse: The vendors? 

Town Mouse: Yes, this year there were fewer gardens with fewer plants and a lot more vendors, also with fewer plants. The display gardens were surrounded with vendors. Clothes, tools, garden ornaments, Egyptian cotton sheets...

Mr. Mouse: Wait, I thought this was a flower and garden show. Egyptian cotton sheets? 

Town Mouse: You heard correctly. Also luggage. But unfortunately no water lillies. I had also had my hopes up for that horticultural vinegar to kill my dandelions with, but no luck. 

Mr. Mouse: But I did see you sneak in a plant. 

Town Mouse: Well, yes. But there really were fewer plant vendors. Lots of orchids and some Japanese maples, and a few vendors that had some natives, so I had to support them, don't you think? 

Mr. Mouse: Why of course. You went to volunteer at the CNPS booth anyway. 

Town Mouse: And that was really a lot of fun! The booth was fabulous, lots of plants, books, and posters, lots of people interested in plant sales, garden tours, and more information on natives. We really enjoyed ourselves! 

Mr. Mouse: That sounds much better. I was ready to call you Ms. Grumpy Mouse, but maybe things weren't so bad. And of course I'm glad you didn't buy so many plants. 

Town Mouse: Mmmmm. Well, you'll find out eventually anyway. When I got home, I went online and ordered a few things from Annie's Annuals. It makes most sense to order them in groups of 4, because of how they ship, so I ordered 12. And I also ordered a gallon of that vinegar from North Coast Gardening's online shop.
Mr. Mouse: You did? Well, I expect it was cheaper than Egyptian Cotton sheets.
Town Mouse: Yes, and they're all natives. You'll love them, I'm sure!