Fun Foursome

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I knew the exploring the trade show at the Cultivate ’16 event would take some energy but I wanted to start the day with some local gardens as the day was sunny and beautiful.  I started at the Columbus Park of Roses which lived up to its namesake with 12,000 roses (400 varieties) spread over 13 acres.  Founded in 1953, this is a poplar garden and I was amazed by some of the nice woody plant specimens on the property as well.  It was a nice morning stroll to be sure!  I then headed to the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens.

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‘Lion’s Fairy Tale’ rose (Rosa) – woody shrub

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‘South Africa’ rose (Rosa) – woody shrub

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The Franklin Park Conservatory and surrounding gardens were exceptional.  I spent quite a few hours no only enjoying the conservatory but exploring surrounding gardens including a vast, Scotts Miracle-Gro Company Community Garden.  This garden had the reciprocity through the American Horticultural Society (AHS) in which RBG also participates.  In essence, my RBG Member card saved me the $13 admission fee.  Dedicated in 1895, the conservatory had many additions and renovations over the years and sits in the 90 acre Franklin Park which also features a wide range of garden collections and themes.  Many Chihuly glass artwork selections were scattered throughout the conservatory.

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Franklin Park Trial Garden (above)

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My third stop was at the Topiary Park in central Columbus which was previously called the Old Deaf School Park from many years previous.  This was a nice little park that featured a 1989 installation by James T. Mason, sculptor and creator of the topiary interpretation of George Seurat’s famous painting A Sunday Afternoon on the Isle of La Grande Jatte.  This is not a slow process but see below to appreciate what the goal is in terms of recreating that 2 dimensional painting in to a 3 dimensional viewing.  Cool!  I then headed back to the Conference Center to tour the trade show and look at new plants.

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The Conference Center (above..flag at half staff for Dallas police officers)

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