2025 Container Showdown

Welcome to CONTAINER SHOWDOWN where container designers throw down!

Welcome to the newly reinvented CONTAINER SHOWDOWN… enjoy a ringside seat at expert container creation and curation! Gardening experts will go head-to-head to create beautiful and practical containers, suitable for any level of gardener. These entertaining competitions will take place each day of the Festival on the Main Stage in the North Hall. Whether you’re looking for inspiration for your next container or just want to feed your love for a good showdown, make sure to visit the Main Stage from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM - we hope you can “contain” your excitement! Seattle’s beloved gardening columnist and television host Marianne Binetti returns as emcee.

New for 2025! Container Showdown - Celebrity Edition

Two days only! Thursday and Friday, February 20 and 21 at 1pm Join expert container designers as they coach local celebrities to glory in container design. Host Marianne Binetti will employ all her tricks to keep the teams on their toes as the pros show the celebs the ropes of a winning container design. Don’t miss this high octane container showdown!

Thank you to our Container Showdown Sponsors!

Wednesday, February 19 at 11:00 AM

Justin Henderson - Executive Director and Head Gardener at Lakewold Gardens in Lakewood, Washington

Sue Goetz - Owner of Creative Gardener, author of Complete Container Herb Gardening

Thursday, February 20 at 11:00 AM

Kim Stoddart - Award-winning UK journalist and authority on resilient gardening. Editor Amateur Gardening magazine

Allison McManus - Owner/host Spoken Garden, author of The First Time Gardener

Thursday, February 20 at 1:00 PM

Christina Salwitz - Award-winning garden writer and author, Container and Landscape Designer

Mary-Kate Mackey - Garden Author

Friday, February 21 at 11:00 AM

Kamili Bell Hill - Planterior designer, author, founder of PlantBlerd

Riz Reyes - Horticulturist, Floral Designer, and owner of RHR Horticulture

Friday, February 21 at 1:00 PM

Kate David - Award-winning owner and designer of Hello Garden

Jessi Bloom - Best-selling author, award-winning ecological landscape designer, and speaker

Saturday, February 22 at 11:00 AM

Barbara Wise - Horticulturist, author of Container Gardening for All Seasons

Richie Steffen - Executive Director for the Elisabeth C. Miller Botanical Garden

Sunday, February 23 at 11:00 AM

Marcus Bridgewater -aka Garden Marcus, author, speaker

Carissa Kasper - Founder of Seed & Nourish Garden Design