Mini Landscapes
My favorite part of the Philadelphia Flower Show is always the mini landscapes and settings. There is something about the attention to detail and scale that has always attracted me.
Top prize for mini landscapes went to the outstanding Japanese garden above which really inspired me to create one just like it, as I already have a Japanese dollhouse from when I was little. They would go perfect together!
People young and old enjoy these miniature landscapes, and I had a full house when I did my “Tinkerbelle and Beyond” demo of miniature gardens with a very happy helper.
Miniature Settings
Waiting in a long line to view the miniature settings, I could see people bend down to get a better view in front of the viewing window and exclaim with delight. The line moved slowly because of the amount of detail to absorb and the pictures to take.
For a great blog on the techniques used to set these up, go to Flower Show Miniature Settings. The people who put these together go to a lot of work in ageing their objects so that they don’t appear brand spanking new, with scratching, color washes, and even eye shadow! The Alfred Hitchcock setting was put together with sheets of cut polystyrene.
People who take on the job of creating these work on them for months, literally starting as soon as the current flower show is over.
With only two classes, drama and fantasy, and five exhibits in each, these settings drew a lot of viewers to see the interpretations of the movies along with of course-Plants!! A variety of plants were used – succulents, cactus, tiny house plants and even seedlings. I read on the blog, Flower Show Miniature Settings, that people have learned to use fast growing seeds, like cat grass, chia, or turf grass to add instant greenery.
Nothing like a good flower show – this minature garden is a treat
Once again a very interesting blog Claire. Love seeing the pictures of the miniature gardens. Amazing how much work and time goes into one of these detailed little gardens. Thanks for sharing.
There are some very creative minds on this planet!!! I love these. I’m going to pin them all later when I get home. I have to get the big garden going first but I really want to do up my mini and add a few more. Thanks.
These are amazing–so much detail in each one! I’m glad the Japanese garden won a blue ribbon, because I’m partial to it, too. Two years ago, I had planned to create a fairy garden outdoors, but found a pagoda at the nursery center and decided to make a miniature Japanese garden instead. My granddaughter has had fun helping me re-create it each year.