By the time March rolls around, spring is in our minds. When the weather permits, little shoots of green show that fall plantings of bulbs are a success.

The first to flower in our garden are Snowdrops, which bloom as early as February. By March, the Crocus, Hyacinths and Daffodils are beginning to show their colors.

One of our favorite ways to celebrate the coming of spring is to visit the Indiana Flower & Patio Show at the fairgrounds in Indianapolis. This year the show runs March 10-18. Each year more than 25 gardens feature new ideas for the home gardener.

The Indianapolis Flower & Patio Show began in 1958. Edward A. Schoenberger and his wife, Thelma, had been producing an annual Christmas Gift & Hobby Show since 1949. This show attracted many shoppers for the seasonal gifts and special events.

Their next project would be the Indiana Flower & Patio Show, which used the same type of layout but with gardens and vendors who encouraged visitors to enjoy a taste of spring.

Flower shows were not a new idea in 1958. Several others were established before the Indianapolis show began.

The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society had a long history of exhibiting flowers and vegetables for home gardens. Its first annual exhibition was in 1829. The society encouraged the development of new varieties of plants and garden produce.

The first professional flower show in the United States was the 1929 Pennsylvania Flower Show in Philadelphia.

In 1943, Cleveland, Ohio, started its annual flower show.

When we were living near Akron, I was invited to the flower show with a local club. Being a young bride with a small baby, I had not had time to develop much interest in landscaping. We lived in a rented home that had many older flowers and bushes.

The flower show of 1957 was beautiful. The look and smell of spring made me excited and look forward to the coming blooms.

This year, the Indianapolis Flower & Patio Show’s theme is “Gardens Gone Wild!” The featured areas are gardens designed with spring flowers and plants.

In previous years, the gardens have been decorated with varied landscape and outdoor ideas. Small bridges and tiny streams are favorites. In the past two or three years, water and fire have been combined to make some spectacular lighting effects.

The flower show is in a large area, 265,000 square feet, which includes the gardens and 450 exhibitors. Thousands of flowers and trees have been forced to bloom and brought in to make the splendid floral color of the show.

About anything you might want for your own lawn and garden is available at the show. We have bought bulbs, a wooden swing, a lovely statue of a girl and several small items for our herb and flower gardens.

The show begins March 10. The entrance fee is $10. Children 12 and younger are admitted free.

March 12 is Senior Day for people 55 years and older. Their tickets are $7 that day.

Everyone can get a $1 off coupon by going online to www.indianaflowerandpatioshow.com.
Cincinnati Flower Show

Another popular flower show in the Midwest is in Cincinnati.

This famous show is the only flower show in North America endorsed by the Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain, producer of the world renowned Chelsea Flower Show.

Cincinnati’s show was crowned the “king of all flower shows” in the Better Homes and Gardens magazine.

This year’s event, the 18th anniversary show, will take place April 21-29.

The show is set on the banks of Lake Como at Historic Coney Island. Not only will the show include stunning floral designs and wonderful gardens, but it will showcase the latest trends in outdoor living. This is the largest outdoor flower show in the United States. This year’s theme is “Play in the Dirt.”

An interesting feature of the show, the Afternoon Tea, is on April 24, 27 and 29. Traditional English tea is served with scones, finger sandwiches and small cakes. The Sunday afternoon event on April 29 is a Mother and Daughter Tea.

Advanced tickets are needed for these events, which include the tea and admission.

Lectures by notable gardeners, authors and designers are scheduled during the show. An Artists’ Studio showcases sculpture, porcelain, photography and fiber art with a garden theme.

Whatever one’s interest in outdoor living and gardening might be, it can be satisfied by the many displays and the Gardener’s Market, more than 130 horticulture related vendors from across the country.

Tickets for the Cincinnati Flower Show are $20 at the gate. Advance adults tickets are $15 and children 3-12 enter for $5.

Tickets are available from area Kroger stores or online at www.cincyflowershow.com.

Carolyn Lafever of Hagerstown writes about area destinations for Zeal!

source : www.pal-item.com