‘Run, Little Pigs, Run!’ wins gold medal at Northwest Flower and Garden Show

For the second year in a row, the team of James Sprague of Bothell and Susan Browne of Everett has won a gold medal for a display garden at the annual Northwest Flower and Garden Show, this time for their playful “Run, Little Pigs, Run!”

February 23, 2011 10:01 am
Bothell's James Sprague of the Fancy Plants Gardens landscape company and volunteers put the finishing touches on 'Run
Bothell's James Sprague of the Fancy Plants Gardens landscape company and volunteers put the finishing touches on 'Run

For the second year in a row, the team of James Sprague of Bothell and Susan Browne of Everett has won a gold medal for a display garden at the annual Northwest Flower and Garden Show, this time for their playful “Run, Little Pigs, Run!”

Awards were announced Tuesday evening by a panel of judges and the organizers of the annual garden show. The event, with the theme “Once Upon a Time … Spectacular Gardens with Stories to Tell,” runs Feb. 23-27 at the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle.

The “Run, Little Pigs, Run!” garden features flowers and foliage inspired by the personalities of the characters from the story of the “Three Little Pigs,” and is one of 24 displays for the public to enjoy.
The dark and spooky Wolf’s Den is surrounded by prickly plants like Barberry and Mahonia; the House of Straw is circled by brightly colored Gerber Daisies; the House of sticks is made of Maple and Alder twined together with Coral Bark Maple around the fringes; and the House of Bricks is tidy with soldier-straight rows of hedges and primroses.

Anders Hagen, of Home Restorations Inc. provided help by building the brick house start to finish, and helping throughout the process of building the rest of the wooden structures and supports that make up the garden.

“It’s so much fun and such a privilege to come back year after year with new and exciting garden designs, and to win a gold medal for a second year is icing on the cake,” said Sprague, owner of Bothell-based Fancy Plants Gardens landscape company with eight years in the business. “All of the designers work hard to top past gardens to put on a great show for the thousands of visitors that come through every day.”

The team of Sprague and Brown won a gold medal last year for their garden “Complements.” Susan Browne, owner of Susan Browne Landscape Design, enjoys the challenge, creativity and hard work that goes into the effort each year.

“Seeing the grins of the gardeners and children who come through here makes it all worthwhile,” Browne said. “Everyone will be amazed at this year’s show.”