Fronderosa Frolic – See the Next Big Thing in Plants Now

Plants from Plant Hunters and Breeders, Wholesale and Mail Order Nurseries

                                                           

July 1, 2008, Gold Bar, Wash. --  Once a year, plantsmen from the best specialty nurseries in the Northwest gather in Gold Bar, Washington, to compare notes, trade plants, and camp by the Skykomish River, hosted by Judith Jones at Fancy Fronds Nursery. You can get in on the conversation, see what plants will be the next big thing or find that specimen that is perfect for that problem spot in your garden.  The ninth annual Fronderosa Frolic, a celebration of plants and those who are fascinated by them will take place from 10 am to 3 pm on Saturday and Sunday, August 9 and 10.

In addition to Fancy Fronds, specialty nurseries invited to attend will include Cistus Nursery, Sauvie Island, OR, specializing in Mediterranean plants and hardy tropicals; The Desert Northwest, offering cold-hardy desert plants; and Chimacum Woods, with many kinds of species rhododendrons.  Many of the new plants introduced by commercial growers are first discovered or grown by keen plants people operating small specialty nurseries.  Here’s your chance to learn about exciting new introductions before they become widely available.

               This event is a must for the serious gardener and not so serious one as well.  And it will benefit a local organization: Fancy Fronds will give a percentage of their weekend sales to Save a Forgotten Equine (SAFE) in honor of all the horse manure that has been the mainstay for growing fabulous ferns for several decades.  

Fancy Fronds Nursery is located off Highway 2, just east of Gold Bar, Wash. Carpooling is recommended: the road leading to Fancy Fronds is a narrow private lane.  Parking attendants are on hand to direct you in and out as well as to parking spot.   There is limited wheelchair access to greenhouses, though there is wheelchair access available to the rest of the festival.

 

 

Specialty Nurseries

Amazing Grasses ~ Estacada, OR
Botanica ~ Seattle, WA
Bloom River ~ Eugene, OR
Cistus Designs ~ Portland, OR
Chimacum Woods ~ Port Ludlow, WA
Coldsprings Garden Nursery ~ Duvall, WA
Collectors Nursery ~ Battle Ground, WA
Connor Bamboo ~ Portland, OR
Courting Frogs Nursery ~ Standwood, WA
Dancing Oaks Nursery ~ Monmouth, OR
Far Reaches Farm ~ Port Townsend, WA
Hedgerows Nursery ~ McMinnville, OR
Pan’s Garden ~ Olympia, WA
Mt. Forest Farm ~ Snohomish, WA
RHR Horticulture ~ Shoreline, WA
Steamboat Island Nursery ~ Olympia, WA
Swan’s Trail Gardens ~ Snohomish, WA
The Desert Northwest ~ Poulsbo, WA

Artists and Garden Accessories

ALBE Adventuresome Twig Furniture ~ Rustic twig furniture and garden structures
Image Custom Iron Works ~ Trellis, arbors, gates, pyramids of welded iron. Custom orders welcomed.
Glass Gardens Northwest ~ Bird baths, fountains, finials and other glass art for the garden

Directions to the Fronderosa
Google Map To Fancy Fronds

Option 1:  I-5 to HWY 2 East.
   Take exit 194 off I-5 in Everett. Take HWY 2 East approximately 30 miles towards Gold Bar.

Option 2:  From I-405 take exit 23, to 522. Take 522 east to Monroe.

Turn left at the junction of HWY 2 and HWY 522 in Monroe, follow HWY 2, east to Gold Bar.
We recommend that you try to arrive at the junction of I-405 and I-5 before 3:00pm.
If traffic is good, this is the fastest route from Seattle. Google Directions

Option 3:  Scenic Route: (about 1 1/2 hours from Seattle)
If you want to take a slower more scenic route you may go east on I-90 either from I-5 or I-405 to the Preston/Fall City exit. Turn left off the freeway, go over the freeway and turn right and follow the road which will take you through Preston to Fall City. At the stop sign in Fall City turn right, then get in the left turn lane to turn left onto SR203 which will take you to Carnation, Duvall, and Monroe. You can either turn right onto Ben Howard road, and skip Monroe, where it will meet with HWY 2 again in Sultan. Or you can continue to Monroe. In Monroe turn right at the traffic light. This is Main street and it will run into HWY 2 at the traffic light. Turn right and head east on HWY 2 to Gold Bar.

Using the google map link above, you can see these routes more quickly.

 

Arriving in Gold Bar:

We are located on the east end of Gold Bar, on the right side of HWY 2 as you are headed east. There will be signs indicating where to turn right onto Dorman Road just after the Mountain View Diner. Follow Dorman Road over Rail Road tracks, follow road left (east) at the end of the fenced field, to 408 Ave SE and 172 Street SE. Turn right (south) at 408 Ave SE, which turns into 172 Street SE when it curves left (east). We are at the end of 172nd Street SE, on the right side with big greenhouses. Turn right into the driveway. We will have parking staff coordinating, please be patient while we find you a spot.

If you have additional questions, please contact judith@fancyfronds.com, or call (360) 793-1472.
Are you a Vendor? Click Here for Frolic Vendor Form