Have you heard the term "doomscrolling"? It's defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as "the action of continuously scrolling through and reading depressing or negative news on social media or news websites, often on a smartphone." I admit I have done this, partially because I want to be informed. And
notes that the activity for some of us, in some situations, can actually be "hopescrolling," or seeking reassurance that a spark of good news will overtake the bad.
In any case, I also know that I need to counter this activity with positive pursuits to preserve my mental health. One of the most hopeful things in a gardener's or plant-lover's life is to compare notes with others who share the same passion.
So here are brief summaries of the seven Flings I've attended. I wish I could have attended them all, but I'm sure the others were amazing, too. At each location and at each Fling, I've been surprised and charmed by unique designs, views, and special plants. And, of course, the people!
TORONTO, 2015
This was the first Fling I attended: Wow, it blew me away, for so many reasons! Toronto is a beautiful city, and the gardens were impressive. The first photo, at the top of this post, shows a lovely, brick-paved walkway lined with an abundance of gorgeous flowers and foliage.
One plant in Toronto that caught my eye repeatedly was Ninebark (
Physocarpus opulifolius). Several varieties were in full bloom at the time of the Toronto Fling (early June), and they were so lush and happy.
But the plant that reminds me most of Toronto is the ornamental
Allium. I think the one in this photo is either a 'Gladiator' or a 'Globemaster.' Toronto taught me that Alliums grow just fine in partial shade
—particularly if your trees are mainly deciduous. In these settings, Alliums have plenty of sun when they need it, as they emerge and begin forming buds in early spring. My garden has never been the same since...I have so many Alliums around the garden now. And an added bonus: They repel rabbits!
I must give a nod to the people at the Toronto Fling. Most (if not all) of the people in this photo have remained friends since I met them in person at my first Fling. Some had been friends online prior to our meeting, but it was wonderful to actually spend time together, touring gardens and celebrating our common interests. (I'm not sure who took this photo, but thank you!)
MINNEAPOLIS, 2016
The Twin Cities are our neighbors, and I've had friends and family members who've lived in Minnesota. I drove to this Fling, which made it a little less hectic and I was able to bring plants home in my car!
Many of the plants that grow well in the Twin Cities thrive here at home, too, including the native Culver's Root (
Veronicastrum virginicum), which we frequently see during hikes. The Minneapolis Fling was in July when this plant is blooming with abandon.
I also noticed quite a few blooms on Blue-Eyed Grasses (
Sisyrinchium spp.) in the Twin Cities. I believe this one was marked as
S. bermudiana. All the Blue-Eyed Grasses (technically in the Iris family) are magical pops of color in the landscapes where they grow.
One thing I didn't expect to experience at the Minneapolis Fling was the creativity of DIY raised-bed, rock gardens. They were so whimsical and fun!
Our trip to downtown Minneapolis to experience
Vera's Garden was special, too. It's a community garden tended by volunteers, which winds along an enchanting, hilly bike trail. Magical.
AUSTIN, 2018
While I'd been to Texas on previous trips, I'd never been to Austin until the 2018 Fling. The experience surprised me in many ways. Austin in May was like Madison in June—perfect weather and a wonderful setting for touring gardens!
I'd had no idea that water was such a presence in Austin. The Colorado River (separate from the farther west river of the same name) flows through the heart of the city and the surrounding area. Overlook views in several gardens were breathtaking!
Of course, I expected to see incredible succulents like this Agave and companions. Fabulous!
But the Poppies (
Papaver spp.) in Austin were also glorious, with so many unique colors and forms. They caught the sun and flitted about with abandon in the light wind.
Some species of
Chenopodium are native and/or common in my home state of Wisconsin, but I discovered Tree Spinach (
C. giganteum) at the Austin Fling. Isn't that foliage wonderful
—with the full, leafy greens at the base and the purple highlights at the top? One of these days I need to try it as an annual in a pot or in a mixed planting.
DENVER, 2019
Denver is a familiar city, as my family has had summer reunions in Colorado many times over the years. The climate is very different, and yet the dry warmth of the mid-June Fling was similarly comfortable to our locale at that time of year.
I don't have a favorite plant, but one of my favorites out West is Apache Plume (
Fallugia paradoxa). Isn't it enchanting? It's like visiting an old friend when I see it
—the lovely white flowers and the thready, graceful stiles that remain afterward. This fascinating plant is a visual treat, and it's reminiscent of the feathery plumes of Wisconsin's native Prairie Smoke (
Geum triflorum).
And who can deny the beauty of Rocky Mountain Penstemon (
Penstemon strictus)? That periwinkle blue, the beautiful form of the stalks, and the pollinators!
Check out the rock crevice garden! Some day, I want to try something like this: It's so unique and fun.
And, of course, no mention of Denver-area gardens would be complete without a spectacular mountain view!
MADISON, 2022
COVID got in the way of the Fling for a couple of years, but when we reconvened in Madison, my home, it was a comfortable June gathering. The first day was hot, one day was slightly rainy, but the gardens and the plants didn't disappoint.
A special feature of Madison-area gardens and nature settings is their natural blend of woodlands with prairies, and the transitions between them. Many local gardens take advantage of these aesthetic attributes.
Perhaps the most unique thing about the Madison Fling was a visit to
Epic Systems, a nearby healthcare software company with a huge campus. Pictures can't really do it justice, but the plantings and gardens are expansive and impressive. For example, one large area incorporates
Sedum varieties as groundcovers, while a native plant garden with pathways forms a roof over an underground parking area.
The Lilies were full and lovely at the time of the Madison Fling.
And June is the best time for precious Roses, especially after a touch of rain or dew.
PHILADELPHIA, 2023
While I'd been to Philadelphia in the past, I hadn't explored beyond the urban areas and into the suburban and rural garden settings. What a fantastic locale for gardening!
What truly surprised me was the grand scale of the natural settings. The water resources were plentiful and supplied robust habitat for plants and native creatures (like the heron shown). The trees in the forests were giants—much taller and more regal than I expected—and they conveyed a majestic spirit.
Pitcher plants (
Sarracenia spp.) are native to my area, too, but they were so plentiful and lush in the Philadelphia-area gardens.
And the Dahlias! I studied them and photographed them for a long time, only sharing a sampling here. The September variety was truly impressive, in many of the gardens.
Lush, mixed plantings were evident throughout the tour.
MEMPHIS, 2025
Our most recent Fling took us to Memphis. While it was very warm in June, I loved it! I have a high tolerance for heat and humidity unless it's beyond 95F/35C for an extended period. Plus, the warmth is conducive to the growth of some spectacular plants!
The Magnolias were absolutely glorious!
And I do believe there were lush, healthy Hydrangeas blooming in nearly every garden. Since blue, pink, and mixed blooms were interspersed, I suppose the soil was more naturally neutral than it is many other locations.
Colorful blooms were everywhere at the Memphis Fling, including in our luncheon arrangements.
One particularly creative feature of many of the Memphis gardens, was their treatment of pathways—from front to back, along borders, and between garden sections.
And now...
BUFFALO, 2026
I'm so looking forward to this one, too! I didn't attend the first Buffalo Fling in 2010, but I did attend another garden conference in the area a few years back. The gardens in Buffalo are so impressive, as well! Will you be there, July 9-12, 2026? You can visit this link to learn more:
Buffalo Garden Fling.
Did you enjoy "flingscrolling"? Have you attended a Garden Fling? Have you visited gardens in these locales? If so, please share your impressions!
