"The Creator planted a garden eastward in Eden." Genesis 2.8. "Then the Creator took the man and put him in the garden to tend and keep it." Genesis 2.15. By this account, gardening (not that other activity) is the world's oldest profession.

So, last week the region held the annual homage to gardening with the Northwest Flower and Garden Show. This privately funded "ode to chlorophyll" has been packing 'me in for 18 years - not that every show has been a crowd pleaser.

The show has become more "corporate" and less "gardener" over the years and the exhibit gardens show it. Fewer loopy fantasy pieces have been replaced with stark and sterile corporate landscaping. While the objective was to reflect the outdoors as a living space, many designs were better suited for an office, church or other public space.

At the other end of the spectrum were designs glorifying junk and neglect. Even the grand prizewinner design had a rusting old car in the yard - unfortunately, something we can see on most any drive into less urban areas of Puget Sound. Collecting and "decorating" junk cars is not something to be encouraged - less so when it's combined with planted up discarded plumbing fixtures. Junk is not chic - it's just junk in a tuxedo.

Another aspect of the show was an emphasis on gardens as entertaining spaces rather than laboratories for exotic and unusual plants. Indeed, the trendsetters say we are moving away from a focus on horticulture and toward outdoor ornamentation. Dan Hinkley and other mavens of "what a cool plant" take note. This may not be all bad because spaces may be more attractive as d/cor, though less interesting as gardens.

This focus was obvious in the reduction in number of specialty plant vendors at the show, offset with an explosion of vendors selling items having nothing to do with gardening. No, the clothing vendors were not selling garden togs - just clothes. And the jewelry and pottery vendors continue to multiply like dandelions. Perhaps handmade dinnerware with a floral design qualifies as garden related. I think not.

But the arts and crafts obviously make money, helping underwrite a local winter tradition. So, we now hold our collective breath and wait to see what's hot for 2007.

Rose pruning time is here again. Mid-February is the best time for final pruning to encourage bloom this summer. Since roses bloom on new wood, heavy pruning is appropriate. The general rule is to prune last year's canes back by at least half; more if the rose has become overgrown. Cut to an outside facing bud. Remove dead canes and those smaller than a pencil width. Remove no more than a third of the oldest canes each year to encourage fresh new growth.

Clean up the surrounding area to remove leaves and debris, which harbor diseases like black spot. Wait until early April to being a fertilizing regime. Since roses bloom on new wood, they are gluttonous feeders to keep the show going. If you've had it with pests and diseases but still love roses, replace your pampered plants with stout and vigorous varieties. Shrub roses are tough and useful in the general landscape. Many have been breed for cyclic summer bloom. Check with your favorite nursery and get them to order the best.

While tending roses, it's also time to prune hardy fuchsias, clematis, ornamental grass and most summer and fall bloomers. Learn their habits and prune accordingly.

One of the most influential gardeners and a beloved garden writer passed away last month. Christopher Lloyd, breaker of garden rules and master of Great Dexter in England, turned in his trowel at age 84. Affectionately known as Christo, his wit and legacy will carry on as we all know 'old gardeners never die they just spade away.'

Among the last 'manor house' gardeners, many tributes to Lloyd's influence on modern garden practice and design can be found in the American and British press. Christo broke from his traditionalist British roots to do things his own way, gardening with a glass of scotch in hand. Perhaps the best salute to such an icon is a contribution to the charitable trust that will preserve his creation at Great Dixter. To arrange your support, contact them at friends@greatdixter.co.uk.

Since it is also the national anniversary of George Washington's birthday, let's not forget that our first president was a dedicated gardener himself - but the cherry tree is a myth.

Stephen Lamphear writes often for these newspapers and can be reached at lazy.gardener@comcast.net