The theme for this year's show was "Journey- Grand Vistas", and focused on luxury travel at the turn of the century. It included divisions in botanical arts, floral design, horticulture and photography. Ribbons and prizes were awarded in each division. On the front lawn, six gardens represented the range of European garden design.
They also had mailboxes featuring different places around the world (Cape Town shown here), with flower displays representing that particular location.
Unique urns with amazing flower arrangements were seen throughout the property.
Pergola + climbing roses + boxwood = heaven!
In the container garden category, many of the contestants planted their
arrangements in vintage suitcases to go along with this year's theme.
Spectacular shades of pink...
Inside the mansion, the ballroom was full of more arrangements...it was eye-candy overload!
The flower show also includes the Opening Night Party, lectures and demonstrations (P. Allen Smith was the special guest lecturer this year), special luncheons and workshops. You can make a whole weekend of it! Out on the back lawn were specialty vendors selling art, antiques, coastal décor, clothing and accessories.
One of the vendors was Three Islands, "a casual American clothing company that combines the clean tailoring of New England's classic good looks with vibrant and whimsical hand-screened batiks from Bali, Indonesia." Their women's dresses, cover ups and tunics are perfect for summer days. I came home with these two...
(My seahorse top has orange trim around the neckline, cuffs and bottom...love it!)
They also carry men's and children's clothing...how cute is this summer top?
Another vendor was Liza Byrd , and I had to get this fun embroidered top...
Needham Lane is a Massachusetts based company and their colorful collection of prints are used for dresses, sleepwear, slippers and tote bags.
I met the owners of each of these companies and chatted with them for quite a while. I love hearing their stories of how and why they started their family based business.
The Newport Flower Show is held annually in June, so mark your calendar for next year's show...I highly recommend it!
As always, feel free to leave a comment or ask questions in the comments section below.
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