Spring is MIA but not at the MIA - Art in Bloom starts on 4/27!

Art in Bloom is a 4-day event at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts (MIA). The series is a fundraiser presented by the Friends of the Institute and includes lectures, demonstrations, and a whiff of spring. Admission is free to view the floral displays and on-going museum exhibits.

http://www.artsmia.org/art-in-bloom-2011/index.html

Florists interpret paintings, sculptures, and other pieces of art by using flowers and greens. Last year my favorite piece, "Birds and Flowering Plants" won best interpretation.


"Best Interpretation' won by Pamela W. Nuffort and Sue Zaudtke
who interpreted a scroll by artist Nagasawa Roshu.


Recently I started working part-time at Bachman's floral counter. The Monday after Easter was a bit slow - except for designers shopping for stems to use for Art in Bloom arrangements. I had the pleasure of helping a woman who was looking for flowers that would bring to mind clouds. She explained the painting and I think this might be it.


"Fishing Vessels Offshore in a Heavy Sea," by Ludolph Backhuysen


She bought white carnations, fuji mums, baby's breath, and pale yellow corsage orchids. I can't wait to see her creation and get a whiff of spring.

Bring Out the Spring Containers Already



Ready to deliver some color and then off to prune a forest of hydrangea.


It's been a slow start to spring but I admit I don't mind. When the days get warm we tend to freak and think we need to get the tomatoes in (please wait until late May for that). 

Let me be a downer and mention the stuff that could be done in the yard. http://amyablegardens.blogspot.com/2011/04/stuff-to-do-while-we-wait-for-spring.html

Or plant a container of spring-blooming annuals.


Kowalskis sets the bar high, love their containers and use them for inspiration.


Fill the container with pansies, violas, tulips, daffodils, or ranunculus. I noticed really nice looking ranunculus at Bachmans. Although I've seen it in Arizona and California, I don't think I've ever seen for sale as a potted plant in Minnesota.

Use willow, dogwood or any branch with interesting bark to create height and texture, throw in some wheat grass seed and you'll have a sweet little "container lawn" in a week or so.


I've got a few sources for willow but would prefer not to be sneaking around parks with my pruner.

Then in late May or early June when there's really a lot of gardening to do, add one more thing to the list and switch out your containers to warm-weather loving plants.