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For members of the Washington Association of Landscape Professionals (WALP), the show is a valuable opportunity to raise the organization’s profile in the industry.

This is the second year the organization will have a garden in the show. In prior years, members manned a booth.

"Having a garden will allow us to better market our services to residential home owners and design firms," explains Jeff Carroll, member of the King County chapter of WALP and owner of Jefferson Landscaping in Woodinville. "Trying to do this on an individual basis would be expensive and time consuming. This way, it’s more economical and efficient for everyone."

Carroll explains that WALP’s mission is to provide opportunities to promote professionalism and education to members within the Green Industry and the communities served.

He says, "The organization really helps build professionalism by offering members professional development and educational opportunities. We each benefit by sharing knowledge, resources and experience."

Among WALP’s members are a number of individuals and companies from Woodinville, including Tom Berg of Berg’s Landscaping; Berkey Supply, Inc.; Ditch Witch Northwest; Jon L. Shepodd Landscaping; Kirshner Trailer Sales; Landscape Innovations; Northwest Landscape Services; ProGrass; Reynolds Landscape Co.; Rod Bailey of Alder Springs Enterprises; Secret Gardens Landscaping and Vibrant Plants.

For the 2010 Northwest Flower & Garden Show, WALP’s garden, entitled "Simply Entertaining," is the brainchild of landscape designers Phil Wood of Phil Wood Garden Design and David Jensen of Native Green Landscapes.

"It’s really been a collaborative effort of many WALP members," comments Wood. "And we’ve been planning it for a year now. That’s how long it takes to do something like this because the process is so extensive."

Wood describes the 30 foot by 26 foot garden as an inviting outdoor living space that’s ideal for entertaining.

"The walls are stucco, there’s stone paving and then there’s an arbor overhead to create an intimate area for dining," he says. "We’re using Northwest plants that are low-maintenance and require little water once established. The garden contains living, dining and kitchen areas, and there’s even a movie screen to show outdoor movies. The kitchen includes a pizza oven, which we thought would be a fun touch." He adds, "The message of the space is to take the time to enjoy your garden and make it a true retreat."

For more information about WALP, visit www.walp.org.

For more information about the upcoming Northwest Flower & Garden Show, visit www.gardenshow.com.