The halls of downtown’s public market were in bloom Saturday as the Grove Arcade Flower Show got under way.

Tourists and locals alike strolled through the building admiring the flowers and plants, and picking up some additions for their gardens and homes.

“I came here especially for the orchids,” said Josh Smith, who works at Private Mountain Communities in the arcade. “One of them is for Mother’s Day and the rest are because I just really like them.”

Along with orchids, 19 different vendors sold everything from medicinal herbs to bonsai trees at the show, which also runs from noon to 5 p.m. today.

“There’s a festival atmosphere to it,” said Diana Cerce, owner of Urban Oasis and a vendor. “I love talking to people and giving them gardening tips, and I learn things from them as well.”

Now in its fourth year, the show focused on urban gardening and unusual plants.

“You would have to travel lots of different places to get all the flowers, and here they’re all together,” said Melinda Knies, event organizer and a manager at Mountain Made.

“This time of year, everyone is ready to get outside and do something, even if you only have a small deck or small terrace,” she said.

The flower show also included special exhibitions and lectures on everything from terrariums to feng shui.

Sherrye Chappell arrived breathless from Saluda to attend a lecture about gardening using the phases and signs of the moon.

“The full moon is coming up and I need to know what to do and what not to do,” she said.

Joyce DeVeaux from Charlotte and a friend stumbled upon the flower show while shopping.

Finding the flowers was “a bonus,” she said after making some purchases. “I’m just getting started.”

source : www.citizen-times.com