The Duchess of Windsor & Buck Jones, Part Deux

So the infamous window box for the Southeastern Flower Show got installed today, at last! It's the first time I've done anything like this, so it was a very cool experience. I had no idea how persnickety some of these plant people can be. I must admit that I still don't understand what makes a hosta leaf win a blue ribbon while another wins a red, but that's another story.

The photo doesn't give great clarity with color, since the wall behind the box is really a taupe color, I believe to give the illusion of stucco.

I also didn't think I'd be able to fit that many plants into one 5 foot basket, but it took the full lot of them, plus about a dozen pansies, to boot!

Before you say, "It's very dark," remember that this box is themed around departed lovers, in this case the Duke of Windsor. The mood of the whole thing was "Winter seems much colder now that he's gone."

Patti's critical eye (and knife-wielding skills) were a huge asset, as was the always-theatrical Laurie from Buck Jones, who felt the bare climbing hydrangea looked "appropriately dead." The dragonfly lantern that Chris powered with a motorcycle battery buried in the soil hopefully pushed this over the top. Anyone from metro-Atlanta should remember that there is no better lighting company than his.

Will let you know if I placed at all in this competition once I know something. For now, goodnight! PS. I didn't realize until just now that if you click on the photo, it is visible in a much larger format! At least it will show some detail!