Katherine McPheeters of Bowood Farms has been gathering a selection of plant materials —spring flowers, herbs & shrubbery— to bring to Dressing the Garden, a first-time event featuring garden-related antiques, ornaments and blooms that will take place next week at 9794-96 Clayton Road in Ladue. The show and sale kicks off with a Preview Party on Thursday, April 20 from 5:30 to 7:30 on a tented patio in front of Kathleen Mack Antiques and Mark O. Howald Antiques & Fine Art, and continues Friday through Sunday, April 21 to 23 from Noon to 4 p.m.
Dressing the Garden is a collaborative effort dreamed up by Mary Morgan, a garden designer (The Plot Thickens) and former CWEnder, Katherine McPheeters of Bowood Farms, Kathy Mack and Mark Howald. Cheree Berry of Cheree Berry Papers designed the invitation. The staff of Saint Louis Fashion Fund, which is the recipient of a portion of proceeds from sales, will be sending along models and fashions created by the inaugural crop of designers.
At a meeting with Mary and Katherine recently I learned more about the collaboration. Katherine loves antiques and is anxious to show how beautiful Bowood’s plant materials look in antique containers. Mary is a big fan of foraging and antiquing and said, “We decided on a pop-up garden event as it presents a sense of excitement and the joy of discovery.” It’s an opportunity for seasoned gardeners to step outside their comfort zone and explore different combinations of plant materials and also discover how to use ornaments and antiques in their gardens. It should also appeal to first-time gardeners who will find inspiration on what to plant from container gardens on display.
“This is the first time since Bowood Farms opened 10 years ago that we have ever done anything outside the CWE,” Katherine said. She sees this as an opportunity to reach St. Louisans who have not yet been to the fabulous neighborhood garden and home store at 4605 Olive Street.
From Kathleen Mack Antiques, a French wire planter c. 1920-1940, $375, is filled with a simple assortment of blooms as a representation of how to use antiques in the garden. The planter is sitting on a 1880-90s Coalbrookdale English hall tree, $3,500.
A planter at Bowood Farms contains a small grouping of plant materials that will be available for purchase at Dressing the Garden.
CWEnders who are on the Preview Party committee include Philip Slein and Cabanne Schlafly Howard.
Dressing the Garden, 9794-9796 Clayton Road, Preview Party, Thursday, April 20, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., $45 (includes hors d’hoeuvres & cocktails from Bowood Farms’ Cafe Osage). More information can be found on the invitation, shown above. The show and sale continues Friday through Sunday, Noon to 4 p.m.
For information on garden design, contact Mary Morgan of The Plot Thickens (314) 995-7040.
Nicki – thank you for tooting the horn of our imminent pop up! We are so thrilled by this unique and stimulating collaboration. Snazzy models metaphorically tip toeing through the tulips, so many visual temptations for a diverse crowd of garden fans.
Viva Dressing The Garden!