14 In Travel

Newport Flower Show

Visiting The Newport Flower Show

Every summer I always look forward to some small mini vacations or what you could call weekend getaways here in New England.  Just taking some time exploring a new town or even relaxing on a beach can be a nice escape.  This year I decided to spend a weekend in Newport, Rhode Island.  I took a few days to explore the town and couldn’t wait to attend The Newport Flower Show.  This was my first year visiting the show, and it also marked it's 20th anniversary.

As soon as I stepped foot on the Rosecliff mansion grounds, I was taken aback by its beauty and timeless style.  I also learned that the mansion is the birthplace of the American Beauty Rose and served as inspiration for this year's celebrations.  If you haven't visited Newport Rhode Island before, it is a gorgeous city by the sea.  This location served as a magnificent place for the rich to build summer cottages and homes. 

Several lavish parties have been thrown at this mansion with famous guests like Harry Houdini among others.  Another fun fact is many films have been shot on location at Rosecliff including The Great Gatsby and 27 Dresses.  This year's show featured exhibits, displays and lots of shopping.  Come with me and explore the show!

Exhibits

This year's exhibits were inspired by The World's Columbian Exposition also known as The Chicago World's Fair.  This was held in 1893 to celebrate the 400th year anniversary of the famous arrival Christopher Columbus made to the new world.  The fairgrounds had french neoclassical architecture, balance and symmetrical arrangements.  The buildings, as well as monuments, were made with white stucco.  They also used the new technologies of the time that incorporated street lighting as well as electrical light strings.  These are some of the reasons it became known as The White City.  The exhibits also interpret the Beaux Arts Garden Design.  This style was at its peak popularity from 1893-1929.

Harmony & Order

 

Designed by All American Landscaping located in Middletown, Rhode Island.  This second place winner features a french garden with a twist.  This gorgeous terrace and inviting steps has a contemporary vibe along with a touch of classic elegance. The dahlias and hydrangeas mixed in the garden were quite striking.

Richardson Allen Furniture designed by Roy Mattson

Sea Foam Roses

 

Roses & Romance 

 

 In Front: Basalt Black Rose Fountain

 In Back: Romance In The Garden Granite Sculpture Created by Joe Gray of Graystone Masonry and Sculpture located in Gilford, New Hampshire 

 

 

 The Solarium 

 

First place winner created by Interiors By MS located in Dartmouth, Massachusetts.  This airy design incorporated an island vibe
along with eye pleasing symmetry and lavish white flowers.

Summer Snowflake Viburnum

Calla Lily Sculpture 

 

Innocence

 

Statue courtesy of Aardvark Antiques located in Newport, Rhode Island. Designed by J.W. Fiske, this fountain was featured at The World's Columbian Exposition in 1893.

Begonia 'Nightlife Mix', Tagetes Patula 'Little Hero Yellow' Marigold, Hypoestes Phyllostachya Pink Splash

Dichondra 'Silver Falls', Solonstemon Scuttledrioides 'Meandering Linda', Calibrachoa 'Superbells Pink', Alyssum 'Clear Crystal White', Hypoestes 'Splash Select Pink', Celosia 'Amigo Mix'

Calibrachoa Superbells 'Yellow Chiffon', Celosia 'Amigo Mix', Creeping Jenny 'Aurea', Begonia 'Senator Scarlet' 

Ageratum, Celosia, New Guinea Impatients, Scotch Moss

Creative Container Gardens

Geranium 'Calliope Red', Marguerite Daisy 'Helio White', Salvia 'Fahrenheit Blue 
Designed by Maher Garden Center in Middleton, Rhode Island 

Hydrangea 'Endless Summer', Rose 'New Dawn', Plantain Lily, Kentucky Bluegrass, Princeton Elm
Designed by Green Animals Topiary Garden in Portsmouth, Rhode Island

Lily of the Vally, Geranium, Diamond Frost, Sweet Potato Vine, Hosta, Cosmo, Torenia, Elm Tree, Strawberry. Designed by Garden Endeavors located in Swansea, Massachusetts

False Spirea, Hybrid Polyantha Rose, Wand Flower, Nemesia
Created by Dreamscape Designs, LLC

Rosecliff Mansion

It is truly breathtaking standing in front of this mansion.  I was in awe with all the small details everywhere you look. From the benches to the statues, everything is designed with splendor and undeniable luxury. As soon as you enter the doors, you feel as if you have been transported back in time.

Walking Among Angels

Artwork

Floral Arrangements

Music Meets Garden

Wedding Bells

Floral wedding cakes designed as a tribute to Sylvia Weinstock

Exploring The Grounds

Cliff Walk

Cut Specimens - From Roses To Peonies

Click on photographs in this gallery to enlarge!

Shopping

I always love shopping at flower shows.  You never know what you might find. This year I ended up going home with some beautiful gold dragonfly stud earrings from Courtney Design.  I was so happy I found them, gorgeous jewelry and such nice owners located in Pennsylvania.  I also purchased an adorable Bees Please terra-cotta garden sign from Coldbrooke Pottery located in Scituate, Massachusetts.   I couldn't resist buying a bottle of Seven Barrels Garlic Extra Virgin Olive Oil.  I love how they offer a 4 piece sample pack so all of us got a little bottle of the kind of oil we liked!  Such a great idea and delicious to boot.  

Designed by Wooden Expression Birdhouses located in North Attleborough, MA

Flower bouquet style napkins made by Carole Shiber Designs

The Vanderbilt Gallery located in Nantucket, Massachusetts 

I had so much fun at The Newport Flower Show this year.  I saw so many spectacular statues and floral displays.  I feel I left with such a heightened level of knowledge about architecture and history from the exhibits.  I also found it so relaxing to take in the striking view of the ocean while strolling along the Cliff Walk with a Del's lemonade in hand.  If you haven't been to this summertime celebration, I highly recommend it.  I can't wait to travel back to Newport and tour all of the other magnificent mansions as well as going back for this show. 

Have you attended this flower show?  I would love to hear about your experience! If you want to share with me, feel free to leave a comment or tweet me. Happy summer everyone!

In Case You Missed It - Boston Flower & Garden Show

 

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July 9, 2015 By
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Hey! I'm Angie, A millennial living in New England. I enjoy sharing about what I grow right in my own backyard. Here you can learn simple tips to help you grow your own vegetables, herbs and flowers. Stick around and join me for budget friendly ideas, easy DIY projects, fresh recipes and more.

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14 Comments

  • Reply
    Packing my Suitcase
    July 31, 2015 at 7:53 am

    STUNNING!!! No wonder they have filmed movies there.
    I loooove the Great Gatsby… I wonder which scene was filmed there!
    You are pictures are simply amazing.
    And that Cala Lily sculpture is unbelievable 😀

    Happy to have you on #MondayEscapes

    • Reply
      Thefreckledrose
      August 25, 2015 at 2:02 pm

      Thank you so much Allane! I appreciate your kind words 🙂

  • Reply
    Shobha
    July 28, 2015 at 9:15 am

    Beautiful! I took the kids last year for a weekend and they loved the cliff walk! It’s a very pretty town and I’d like to go back to see some more of the grand mansions. I didn’t realise there was a flower show as well. #mondayescapes

    • Reply
      Thefreckledrose
      July 28, 2015 at 7:28 pm

      Thank you! Yes, the cliff walk is lovely. Same here, I can’t wait to explore some of the different mansions on my next trip. You can only pack so much beauty into one day! I really love how they have the flower show here, perfect location for such a fabulous floral filled event. 🙂

  • Reply
    Ting at My Travel Monkey
    July 28, 2015 at 8:15 am

    Wow, the Newport Flower show looks splendid and set in such wonderful surroundings. The peace lily sculpture and the solarium are my favourites. It looks like you had a wonderful day. I love gardens especially walled ones, they have a sense of secrecy! But I haven’t yet attended one in the UK as tickets go so quickly and are very expensive, particularly Chelsea. Thank you for joining in with #MondayEscapes for the first time, it’s so lovely to have you. Ps. I am planning a big trip to New England in the next year or so so will be needed your advice 🙂

    • Reply
      Thefreckledrose
      July 28, 2015 at 7:25 pm

      I had a great time, I’m already planning my trip next year! It was a beautiful day by the water. It’s so nice how the mansion is so close to the ocean so you get such a lovely view. I agree, I’ve always wanted my very own secret garden past a giant brick wall covered in vines. One can dream right? I’m so happy I found #Monday Escapes. Oh that is awesome! So much to see and do here in New England in every season. I’d be happy to offer you any advice you need. Tweet me or message me if you need any help 🙂

  • Reply
    Ruth - Tanama Tales
    July 28, 2015 at 12:22 am

    I am blown away by all these photos. It is difficult to say what I liked most but I was not expecting the Calla Lily sculpture. Amazing!

    • Reply
      Thefreckledrose
      July 28, 2015 at 2:06 pm

      Hey Ruth,
      Thank you so much! I know, I was fascinated by that sculpture. So much beauty to take in, I love finding unique things like that 🙂

  • Reply
    Johanna Bradley
    July 27, 2015 at 4:08 pm

    It looks like a grand day out and you have some wonderful photo memories. I’ve been to the Hampton Court show here in England and a lovely garden fair in Estoi in the Algarve. Wonderful to be surrounded by beauty.

    • Reply
      Thefreckledrose
      July 28, 2015 at 2:01 pm

      Hi Johanna,
      Yes, I had such an amazing time at the flower show this year. Oh, that must be absolutely beautiful and I completely agree! Have a wonderful week 🙂

  • Reply
    FlowerpatchPam
    July 11, 2015 at 11:07 pm

    I visited many of these lovely old mansions a few years back and loved it. But to get to attend a Flower Show too would’ve been the icing on the cake. Thank you for sharing.

    • Reply
      Angie Rose-The Freckled Rose
      July 15, 2015 at 2:49 pm

      I actually can’t wait to go back and visit more of the mansions! Hopefully next summer I can see the others 🙂 Rosecliff took my breath away. Happy you enjoyed my post Pam!

  • Reply
    Patti Estep
    July 10, 2015 at 10:57 am

    Wow. What fun. I’ve never been to Rhode Island. We were planning a 2 day trip on our way to visit friend in Cape Cod but life gets in the way. Thanks for the tour. Maybe I can work it out to visit next year.

    • Reply
      Angie Rose-The Freckled Rose
      July 15, 2015 at 10:33 pm

      Thank you Patti! I definitely recommend visiting Newport and this show. I’m already looking forward to going back 🙂

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