Despite the chilly temperatures, everything is coming up roses!

It’s time for Canada Blooms: The Toronto Flower and Garden show that takes over the Metro Toronto Convention Centre for five days starting Wednesday. .

The newest and best products for green thumb shoppers will be showcased in the 200-booth marketplace, with more than 100 workshops and seminars presented by some of Canada’s top horticulturalists, landscapers and floral designers.

“Gardening is the top hobby in North America,” says Charlie Dobbin, the show’s director of horticulture. “It’s fun, and it’s healthy for both the body and mind. More than 100,000 visitors from across Canada and the U.S. are expected to attend.”

She says most gardeners are itching to commune with their flower beds and hedge rows after a long winter and that the show – with all it’s flora – is a harbinger of warmer temperatures. Along with getting new ideas from the beautiful displays, Dobbin says visitors to the show love the fact they can learn from the experts.

“Gardeners are always swapping information and looking for what’s new,” she said. “There’s an incredible wealth of knowledge all in one spot, all at one time.”

The featured Canadian Gardening Magazine’s speakers series at the show includes a full lineup of big-name gardening experts such as Mark Cullen, Des Kennedy, Art Drysdale and Marjorie Harris.

This year’s show is titled Elements: Earth, Air, Fire and Water and a traditional medicine wheel is at the heart of Home Depot’s elemental garden designed by Parklane, a landscaping and design firm.

It’s a garden that encourages balance and serenity while incorporating healing native plants to nourish the body as well as the spirit.

“It shows us that a garden isn’t just something to look at,” Dobbin says. “It’s an area where children play, an area where you can entertain, a spot to read, a place to do yoga.”

Home Depot’s interactive stage will give gardeners the tools and know-how to create their own special space.

The show is packed with myriad features that will entertain as well as inform:

# Marvel at the ingenuity, artistry and skill among 600 exhibits at the largest accredited standard judged flower show in the Garden Club of Toronto Floral Hall. Design stars will compete in the International Class.

# Stay ahead of the trends by checking out the new varieties for 2007 at the Landscape Ontario Gallery of New Plants.

# Seek new treasures for your outdoor space at the booths of the Toronto Star Marketplace and along Blooms Ave.

# Stay connected to the garden all year long with a visit to Gardeners’ Fare, host to more than 30 horticultural clubs and societies where you can get tips and information about ongoing local gardening, horticultural and environmental activities.

Dobbin says that even those who don’t garden will come to the show just to see the environment. More than 1,400 tons of sand and eight truckloads of mulch – enough for a four-foot thick cover on a football field – are brought in to make it work.

Growers have been preparing more than 300 trees, 400 shrubs, more than 4,000 pots of perennials, 600 potted evergreens, 1,400 flowers and about 80,000 bulbs.

There’s an opening night party offering a preview of the show as well as fine food and wine and a chance to meet all the players.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the final day, Sunday, March 11. Tickets are available online or at 416-447-8655 ext. 30.

Canada Blooms is a volunteer-driven, not-for-profit event created to promote awareness of horticulture and to showcase outstanding floral and landscape product and services.

source : Paul Irish www.thestar.com