Report from the Portland Flower Show

This year's flower show was different. Most of the major garden centers and their lovely forced flower displays were absent; word has it that last year's tough spring combined with the fact that they don't make any money at the show led to a decision not to participate. In their place were several delightful designer displays, with a strong theme of natural and woodsy. You could almost feel the mosquitos. The stonework was particularly beautiful, and show coordinator Joanna Sprague did a fine job with the formal gateway featuring standing stones. A highlight of the show was the display by the city of Portland and Friends of the Park featuring the Deering Oaks duck house, which will return to its home in the pond this spring.