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Penny Carnathan
Penny’s a Nurture And Hold (NAH): Nah, I won’t pull that out yet, it’s still got a green shoot. She likes dragonflies, lady bugs and new stuff only after weeding, pruning and fertilizing.
Kim Franke-Folstad
Kim’s a Want It Now (WIN): Everything pretty, everything now. She will resort to full-spectrum insecticides in desperate situations, and believes it’s her duty and right to buy new plants every weekend.
Both advocate Plant Choice (SOMEthing besides crotons. Please!), lots of color and low maintenance. We don’t agree on everything, but we’re smart enough to learn from each other - and from you.
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Overwhelmed by garden chores? Imagine planting for the Epcot Flower Festival
Posted Feb 20, 2010 by Loren Omoto
Updated Feb 20, 2010 at 11:41 PM
I have way too much to do in the garden: cut back all the brown stuff, rake up mulch and dig in compost, pull weeds.
That’s why I’m sitting here on a sunny Saturday afternoon typing instead.
I can only count my blessings I’m not in charge of installing new gardens, new beds full of millions of annuals, and bigger-than-life Disney character topiaries made of everything from live begonias to dried palm grass. That’s the job of Eric Darden, horticultural manager of the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, which opens extra early—March 3—this year.
Eric is amazingly laid back for a guy planning a 75-day garden party for millions. Yesterday, he even took a few hours to give me a tour of the Disney nursery and a peek behind the shrubbery screens hiding the new gardens being installed for the 17th annual extravaganza.
I had told him I was more interested in seeing things home gardeners might learn from than the giant topiaries that get the limelight. I’ll never try to grow a 10-foot-tall Mickey Mouse, so I didn’t think I was interested.
He took me into the Topiary House anyway. WOW! Interested!
See Capt. Hook back there? And that’s American Gothic Mickey in the works to the right. Goofy’s butt on the left, and Aladdin next to Capt. Hook. That’s a real-live man in between, in case you were wondering.
Because the topiaries are made of all kinds of live plants with different watering needs, each has its own irrigation system with catheters (for lack of a better word) going to the individual parts.
For example, in-progress Daisy Duck has foliage on her arms that requres lots of water. But all that water would rot the begonias on her lovely floral blouse.
Under her tail is the control panel for her personal irrigation system.
The last topiaries, the big Great Outdoors scene at the park’s entrance to which Daisy is bound, won’t be installed until the Monday night-Tuesday morning before the festival opens on a Wednesday. But as of yesterday, about 20 percent of the 100 or so topiaries had already been put in place.
Here are Lady and the Tramp hanging out in Italy.
And in France, the Guerlain perfume bottles are already in place. During the festival, you’ll find “dip and sniff” stations here, where you can sniff the perfume, then smell the flowers that are among the ingredients.
Recognize Samsara on the left? At the Samsara station, you’ll sniff a perfume “suitable for romantic dates,” then some jasmine, iris, narcissus, violets and rose. (If you have to ask the price, you don’t need it.)
I did not become so enamored of the topiaries that I forgot about us, the regular gardeners. Among the plants I’d never seen, but will be looking for, is this geranium. Eric didn’t know the name off the top of his head, but I’ll find out and let you know. (You’ll see it in barrel containers at either Canada or Norway.)
And this new variety of ornamental kale being tested in the nursery’s trial gardens.
If you’re planning to go to the Flower Fest, I’ll have more about it in the Feb. 28 Getaway section of The Tampa Tribune, including the must-sees and -dos you might not otherwise hear about. (Of course, I may not be able to resist posting more here. I took a LOT of pictures!)
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Reader Comments
Posted by (myrt1022) on February 21, 2010
This is Evelyn Hicks. I forgot to mention that I would like to have a copy of your book,The Backyard- Homestead. Thank You so much!!
Posted by (Susan Gillespie) on February 21, 2010
What a treat to go backstage at Epcot. I am drooling. What is the plant they used for Lady’s ears? It’s perfect.
Look at all these new FOD’s. Welcome to every one of you. You found the perfect spot to learn more about digging in the dirt. I didn’t think it would be fair that us old timers try and snatch up the freebies so I will add it to my Amazon wish list. As always your column is informative as much as it is entertaining.
Love to you and Kim
Susan
Posted by (konigin) on February 21, 2010
I would like you to send me Succulent Container Gardens by Baldwin.
I had a client 2 weeks ago who was interested in containing succulent plants. Hope that I am the first to request this book.
Thank you.
Ursula Schultz
Posted by (Sandy) on February 21, 2010
Hello, Just signed onto your blog. I love reading your column and purchase the Trib on Sunday for the “Getaway” section. You do a great job of providing interesting information and have saved the life of several of my plants. Have not read all the gardening books I own but I did want to see your page, enjoyed it and signed up. Keep writing for those of us that think a fingernail without dirt under it is a sad thing to witness. Sandy
Posted by (Avecmodele) on February 21, 2010
Anneliese Meier of Parkland Estate Garden Club - WOW - it it hard to get here! Ok, love you writings and this is the best section of the paper with Food and Jeff and You Two! Do you all go out and speak to Garden Clubs yet? You MUST come to Parkland’s one Monday evening! Ok, I am interested in the Complete Chili Pepper Book. It is hard to see the title as the camera has a light spot there, but I can come and pick-it up at the Trib’s offices if need be. 2307 W. Bristol Ave, Tampa, FL avecmodele@gmail.com - I have about 20 clay pots - medium sized and small and a few other odd pots to give away. Who wants them? All in good shape. Email me for directions!
Posted by (flaacke) on February 21, 2010
I would like the “The Complete Chile Pepper Book”
Posted by (flaacke) on February 21, 2010
I’m a new fan of “the Dirt” and look for it every week.
In reading the comments, I believe my first chose is gone , but on second look I believe I’d rather have “Landscaping with Fruit” if its still available.
Thanks, Jack
Posted by (Avecmodele) on February 21, 2010
from Anneliese,
I am sure we all have garden books to get rid of. We need to do something to swap! If someone else wanted my book, that is fine. Dig on, and just wait a few more weeks to plant and really clean-up! Lucky you, Penny, go back stairs at Epcot!!!
Posted by (salmare) on February 21, 2010
My name is Alford and live by the stadium. This last year we tried to replace many of our “pretty” plants with ones that provide something edible. We never thought about losing things to the cold. The 8 year old mango tree that finally had a nice crop last season was totally toasted. We finally trimmed it’s crunchy branches yesterday.
Love your articles, was interested in the Sustainable Gardening for Florida, but appreciate your making so many books available to your readers. Also, thanks for the invitation to “log on”.
Posted by (marthak99) on February 22, 2010
Hi Ladies! Since I am new to central Florida since last summer, I really appreciate your columns for local gardening information, especially your advice on dealing with our recent freeze which resulted in “garden armageddon.”
Your pile of books was so inviting that I had to make a list. If you still have any of the following, I would love to take them off your hands, or desk, or whatever pile they’re in: Florida Gardening on the Go, Pruning Book, What’s Wrong With My Plant?, tropical Trees of Florida, The New Low-Maintenance Garden, Garden Bouquets, Succulent Gardens, and I think my mom would love Flora Mirabilis…Thank you so much for your great columns!
Posted by (marthak99) on February 22, 2010
Hi—me again! Just wanted to clarify that my mom doesn’t have a computer and couldn’t post a comment, but she’s a great gardener and we talk about your columns all the time, so I thought I would ask for her. Didn’t want you all to think I was being greedy…
We also have a peacock family in our neighborhood; the male ran after our car pecking at it yesterday! A pretty but goofy bird for sure! The UPS man is afraid of him and won’t come out of his truck if it’s around…
Posted by (Chip) on February 22, 2010
Welcome to all of the new blogger’s! Soon we will all be safe from frost and can safely replant. A great source of information that is free for the asking is the county extension services. They offer planting guides class’s advice and they have a garden worth visiting. For someone new to the area they have a goldmine of information and even folks who have been here awhile can benefit from this free information…..“Chip”
Posted by (heartplants) on February 22, 2010
I want the book (if it’s free) titled Succulent container Gardens
Posted by (heartplants) on February 22, 2010
I see others want the same book as me. If it is gone, then I am requesting Garden Bouquets And Beyond.
Posted by (Susan Gillespie) on February 22, 2010
Riverview Flower Farm? Do tell.
Posted by (Susan Gillespie) on February 22, 2010
Thanks Penny. you are the sweetest.
Can you believe it—-3 pages of comments. I love it. Tampa is full of great gardeners.
Posted by (Chip) on February 22, 2010
Wow maybe you should have everyone friend you in farmville to get the books! just joking I would have to have two of everything to giveaway a single book! I am so ready for a spring field trip and Ricks farm in the spring should be a busy farm indeed….“Chip”
Posted by (Steve) on February 22, 2010
Hi,
If it is still available, I’d like the copy of Truth about Garden Remedies. Thanks.
Steve Byram, Lutz
Posted by (Chip) on February 23, 2010
This really is a nice thing you and Kim are doing and I hope we have some new folks that become regulars!....“Chip”
Posted by (Susan Gillespie) on February 25, 2010
Dried palm grass—-hmmm. What particular palm grows that? It’s perfect for those ears. Lady and the Tramp is one of my favorite Disney stories. Thanks Penny.