We're not in Kansas anymore in Wm. H. Brown's Wizard of Oz landscape at the Indiana Flower & Patio Show.. (C) Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp
The gardens at this year’s Indiana Flower & Patio Show were to reflect the designer’s favorite book. The show’s theme, A Novel Idea, was implemented well by several landscapers, but one chose the Bible as his or her favorite book. I do not think of the Bible as a novel, however.
Others, though, fully embraced their book’s theme. Here are some favorites:
Wizard of Oz book cover recreated for Indiana Flower & Patio Show. (C) Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp
The Wizard of Oz garden by Wm. H. Brown Landscape Inc., had the yellow brick road and the house that fell on the Wicked Witch of the West. The ‘plants’ were laden with large, colorful fabric flowers, which enhanced the ‘not in Kansas anymore’ scene. A highlight is the wonderfully recreated, supersized cover of L. Frank Baum’s book.
Maid Marian stands sentry at the Robin Hood-inpired gardens of JP Parker and Dallas Foster. (C) Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp
The Adventures of Robin Hood by Roger Lancelyn Green or Howard Pyle’s The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood provides a common theme for adjoining gardens by JP Parker Cut Flower Sales and Landscapes by Dallas Foster, who provided a plant list, which is always helpful to visitors. You can see Pam Parker’s touch in the use of flowers throughout both gardens and, no doubt, the lovely manequin dressed as Robin’s companion, Maid Marian.
Aquatic Designs & Supplies Inc., called on Dr. Seuss’ McElligots Pool for its garden, The scene captures the simplistic, yet imaginative illustrations of Theodor Geisel’s alter ego.
The Hobbit garden is filled with whimsy and fun at Pro Care Horticultural Services' design. (C) Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp
J.R.R. Tolken’s The Hobbit provided the inspiration for Pro Care Horticultural Service’s design. An imaginative topiary and a magical gate are the highlights.
Loren Schmierer harvested trees from his Noblesville, Ind., property to build the Little House on the Prairie. (C) Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp
Little House on the Prairie is depicted in Stonycreek Farm’s landscape, complete with red long underwear.