When I attend the Philadelphia Flower Show I always arrive just as it opens and head straight for the displays and competitions (hopefully before the place gets insanely crowded). Then it's time to do some shopping! Here are the products that caught my eye this year. So what do y'all think of them?
Mounted on the wall these kinda look like backpacks but on the floor I saw that these carts that can haul all sorts of things.
Above, these outdoor-indoor rugs made from recycled plastic happen to have been recommended to me recently by a landscape designer - for my new screened-in porch. (Have I mention I'm having one built at my new house? Photos coming soon!)
Above, I had a nice chat with the folks from Nature's Footprint about their UrBin Grower self-watering containers and Worm Factory vermiculture bins. The owner (right, whose name I neglected to get) doesn't read blogs but knows Amy and was giving her book away during his talk at the show. (Love the new cover.)
This cute guy standing in a tub of water does very well selling the expensive but totally waterproof Irish boots he's wearing. My traveling companion bought some last year and swears by them - for gardening or with designer jeans for more formal affairs. She says his cuteness wasn't the deciding factor but it sure didn't hurt.
The expandable rake on the right is a product I WANT. Beats bending over to pick them or using one of those horrible blowers.
These hanging vases hold water, so work with fresh flowers but me, I'm a sucker for dried arrangements. Maybe on that screened-in porch I'm hoping to have built any day now (permit pending).
Finally, another indoor-outdoor decoration that caught my eye are these metal trees. I neglected to check the prices, though, and they may be too rich for my blood.
Speaking of which, I planted my tuches in a fancy hammock-swing with attached umbrella and loved it, but the $1,195 pricetag makes it a nonstarter. Fortunately, more affordable hammocks abound; I just have to find room for one on that new porch I can't shut up about.
I looooved those metal trees! They were pretty expensive. I might have bought one, though, if I hadn't already bought three blue ceramic koi. Ha!
Posted by: Mary Gray | March 20, 2012 at 05:49 AM
I don't have a porch but I have the famous Cottage Ornee and one of those rugs is really tempting.
Posted by: commonweeder | March 20, 2012 at 05:50 AM
I saw the same backpack carts this past weekend at the Chicago Flower & Garden Show. Would make a good substitute in my neighborhood for the folding metal shopping cart to cart around groceries (seeing as how gas prices are crazy). They had them priced for $35 but they don't ship them so will have to wait til next to buy one.
Posted by: SJ | March 20, 2012 at 07:16 AM
I like the outdoor carpets-those are particularly nice- what is the brand??
I like the leaf picker upper-expandable rake, and I really like the boots and the cute Scotts'man in them!
Posted by: Monica Felt | March 20, 2012 at 07:57 AM
The rug brand is Mad Mat.
Posted by: Susan Harris | March 20, 2012 at 09:12 AM
The owner of Nature's Footprint is Ralph Rhoads!
Posted by: Kate | March 20, 2012 at 09:17 AM
I like the wall pouches-did you get a brand name? I have a plastic rug-I have it by the door in the garage-the cats tend to bring gifts and drop/dispose of the them and its easy to clean!
Posted by: Gail | March 20, 2012 at 05:54 PM
You will give us lots of photos of your new porch with potted plants/furniture in place when it's done, right? I like the outdoor carpets best of everything you showed. After you get one for your porch, I might get one,too.
Posted by: Laura Munoz | March 20, 2012 at 07:01 PM
Laura, you bet! Also? I'm getting my first-ever fountain. Lots to show off.
Posted by: susan harris | March 21, 2012 at 05:02 AM
Gail, sorry about the lack of brand name for the wall pouches! I looked through the list of vendors at the Show but nothing stood out as the one.
Posted by: susan harris | March 21, 2012 at 05:04 AM
I love your choices. Let's meet there next year and buy boots. I need those boots.
Posted by: Layanee | March 21, 2012 at 05:07 AM
I have very similar-appearing boots that are also totally waterproof. $70 on sale at an equestrian shop. Horse people need to be in damp muck-filled barns in freezing weather, so the foot ware seems to be really good.
Posted by: Michele Owens | March 21, 2012 at 07:05 AM
bummer about the wall pouches I'm sure I will find them somewhere....
Posted by: Gail | March 21, 2012 at 05:59 PM
I loved the wall mounted vases - any chance you remember the name of the vendor?
Thanks for the daily dose of entertainment and information.
Posted by: Daphne Steele | March 21, 2012 at 07:40 PM
Daphne, I WISH I knew the name of the flower vase vendor. Sorry!
Posted by: susan harris | March 22, 2012 at 04:27 AM
I love the leaf shovel. Looks much better then what I have been using to pick up leaves..my hands!
Posted by: michele | March 22, 2012 at 09:26 AM