The city of Everett has been quietly building a lovely garden show over the years, and it is now in its 12th year. Sorticulture is truly where art and nature are perfectly paired. It is located in the big beautiful Legion Memorial Park, where the displays, vendors and exhibits are casually placed throughout the park for your perusal and enjoyment.

But that’s not why you should go.

Our very own celebrity speakers will be there; Ciscoe Morris, Marty Wingate, Mary Robson and Marianne Binetti, among others. They will be covering such topics as colorful container gardening, vegetable gardening, and growing chocolate! (Binetti’s talk on Sunday afternoon – I’m so there.) Ciscoe will be on Sunday too with “Stump the Chump” – hmmm, sounds like a challenge, eh?

But that’s not why you should go.

The show is full of handcrafted art for the garden. Blown glass by our own Barbara Sanderson, Glass Gardens NW (http://www.glassgardensnw.com) will be there with her latest creations, as well as a number of different, and unusual, garden artists exhibiting in a number of different mediums: metal, ceramics, pottery, kinetic sculpture, water features and much more are interspersed throughout the park.

But that’s not why you should go.

There are a number of fun things for the kids to do, including food vendors and even a wine garden, too. Live music will keep you humming throughout the day while you enjoy all the ideas and atmosphere that only a show like this can have.

But that is not why you should go.

The plant vendors always make an effort and fill their booths with new and unusual plants. This is an opportunity to grow outside the box people!! Talk directly to the growers and watch that little light in their eye spark when they tell you of their latest feat.

Many of the smaller nurseries and growers, that can’t afford to go to the big shows like the Northwest Flower and Garden Show, do these smaller shows. This is where you’ll find the weird and the wonderful – at great prices too – did I tell you that you buy directly from the grower yet?

That is why you should go.

And while you’re there, check out my latest Miniature Garden display to the west of the main building. Witness the world’s smallest living green roof and get even more ideas for your mini gardening pleasure!

Note: I won’t be vending there this year as my online business has taken over my time and attention. Two Green Thumbs Miniature Garden Center has been growing for the last six years in cyberspace. Our most recent accomplishment is Dave’s Garden “Top 5 Award” for specialization in Garden Décor and Evergreens. The little niche that could, just did!!

See you at the show, I’ll be there on Sunday!

The event takes place at 145 Alverson Blvd. at West Marine View Dr. in Everett. Friday, June 12 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday, June 13 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, June 14 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.