An even more amazing time than I expected to have at the show. There's nothing like peonies full and in fields, on tables and in nearly every glance of the eye for the bulk of two days. Meeting people who love peonies as you do and sharing knowledge and passion to other show goers.

Spending time with Diann (Ticker) Donna (DonnaMack) and Alana was very special too. It made going all that much nicer, thank you guys for going, I realize now that I would have been lost without you guys.

Roy Klehm's peony fields blooming were a real high point for me. You could easily see in the fields (all the while raining) who could stand up to the rain and whose colors stayed vibrant in the hot sun days prior. Lists were made and expanded, made and expanded again

The following are some shots take from the wonderful weekend.

The rural setting really adds to the beauty. Peonies are certainly meant for field growing!

The fields were muddy from the rain, but I just kept telling myself that my water birki sandals may have some of that rich soil remaining on them when I got home to mix into my garden

I think the four of us would always agree that buying from the grower and hybridizer, you get the best stock and ample information. But meeting them all in person, listing to their passion for peonies firsthand, now that was priceless! I could listen to them talk all day long...and I wish I were kidding

Diann, Donna and I dined with the Adelmans and a few other folks. The Adelmans are lovely people and she does an amazing job arranging her peonies for shows. Jaw dropping beauty. Tables on each side of us were the Klehm's and on the other side, the Hollingsworths. I think we had pretty fine seating

You walk into the show building at Rotary Gardens and the air is filled with the most sweet scent! Tables and tables of name-labeled peonies await you.

And then there's the list making event, which took at least 6 or 7 passes through each table. A favorite of mine!

Some more show peonies from the table:

The rich colors that the Northwest climate captures on their peonies are phenomenal.

And it smelled so good!

It was glorious!

Amazing!

It was my first peony show - I was dazzled.

Gorgeous!

Loved it!

The time I got to spend there was really great! Of course, I left home without my camera... *sigh* As the girls say, it was a great time and lots of cools stuff to see.

Glad you enjoyed yourselves. I enjoyed meeting all off you. The van with all my "shopping" is half full of plants leaving a small amount of room for luggage. I will post later when I return home.

Did Tracey forget to mention that she received two Honorable Mentions for both peonies she entered, although it was a last minute decision and she had no time to prepare? That just tells you what wonderful flowers this sweet lady grows. She's too modest to tell you, but I'm so proud of her I can's resist!

Great job, Mags!

You guys are so sweet and I mean that wholeheartedly. The trouble with going to a show like this is that you see how *perfect* everything is there and then you go home to closely (closer than ever before) examine your peonies and you find little tiny bugs or gnats on them after a nice rain that left them slightly droopy You look at "slightly overspent" blooms and those are out too. How the folks bring them from any distance, I have no idea. I cut them (the best I could, based on the class Donna and I took) and thought, if they are junk it's no big deal. 45 minutes from home to a show vase. And Miss Alana was very helpful as was "my assistant" Donna and some other show folks that were hanging out helping newbies like me.

What else could could show you that miracles do happen ? I was humbled to even have a couple of peonies on those tables really.

By the way, I must thank Alana for getting me into the rooms where peonies were being prepared. She basically designated me as her and Tracey's assistant, and because of her thoughfulness I was able to get into two of the prep rooms (including Adelman's) and was privileged to actually carry peonies to the exhibit area. How great is that? Thank you Alana!

More beauties from the show.