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2009 Flower Shows

The first event is not a flower show, but the Northeast Organic Farmer's annual winter conference at Vermont Technical College in Randolph, VT on Feb 14-16. This is one of the best opportunities to learn from experts - everything from no-till gardening and the use of cover crops to making wine, raising blueberries and "fearless pruning." It's $50/day for non-member adults, but worth it. Lunch is $8 or bring a potluck dish. For more info go to http://www.nofavt.org or call 802-434-4122.

There are two real flower shows in February: The Rhode Island Spring Flower and Garden Show February 19-22 in Providence at the Rhode Island Convention Center, and the Connecticut Flower & Garden Show at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford that same weekend.

The Rhode Island Show is said to be a great event. This year's theme is "Gardens of the World", which promises to take you to 30 different countries - no passport required. Admission is $17 or $7 for kids ages 6-12. For general show information call 401-272-0980 or go to http://www.flowershow.com/

The Connecticut Show has as its theme, "America the Beautiful." There will be over 80 different lectures and demonstrations over the course of the event, and over 200 booths. It may be taking up some slack since the Boston Flower Show is cancelled this year. Admission is $14 and children 7-12 are $2, kids 6 and under are free. But please note if you plan to go: cash only is accepted for admission, no credit cards.

Next is The Flower and Patio Show February 27-March 1 at the DCU Center in Worcester, Massachusetts. The theme? "It¡Ùs All About Spring." For more information call 800-533-0229 or go to http://www.centralmaflowershow.com/. Tickets are just $10, and children 12 and under are free.

The Brontosaurus of all flower shows, The Philadelphia Flwoer Show is March 1 to 8 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center Streets in Philly. This show is mammoth, and has been appearing yearly since 1829 when 25 members of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society showed their pet plants including magnolias, peonies from China, an India rubber tree, the Coffee Tree of Arabia, and sugar cane from the West Indies. Now 180 years later, the show is still going strong with literally- acres of displays and hundreds of vendors. Lots of real people still compete, showing their best African violet or prize cactus.

The theme this year in Philly is "Bella Italia" and there will be Italian food, folk dancing and wine to sample - in addition to acres of flowers. Admission is not cheap - $22 for adults and $13 for kids ages 2 to 16. Having been a couple of times, I advise going mid-week and arriving when the doors open at 10am or 8am on the weekends (the web site says best viewing is after 4pm, which does not make sense to me.) For more info go to http://www.theflowershow.com/home/index.html or call 215-988-8899 (recorded information).

Meanwhile, the Vermont Flower Show overlaps with Philly and is a lot more fun if you don"t like driving the Jersey Turnpike and fighting for parking spaces with people who eat small children for breakfast. It takes place March 6-8 in Essex Junction at the Champlain Valley Fairgrounds. Admission is $15 but only $3 for kids 3-12 years old. It's a great show with model trains and lots to entertain the kids and grandkids. And it's ours - northern New England's. Call 802-865-5202 for more info or go just Google Vermont Flower Show (the web site address is ridiculously long).

I said the Boston Flower Show is not happening this year, which is true, but there will be a minimum production called "Blooms" which will be held in Boston March 12th-15th in the marble lobbies of International Place, 125 High Street and The InterContinental Boston. There will be some flower arrangements, a few workshops and some orchid and bonsaii displays. And it's all free. The Mass Hort Society has been in turmoil, I gather, and the show fell apart, and this is our consulation prize. For more info go to http://www.masshort.org/.

The last of the big flower shows is March 11-15 in Portland, Maine. Called ¡†From the Mountains to the Sea,¡Ö it takes place on Portland¡Ùs historic waterfront district. Admission is $15 and kids under 12 are free. It is full-fledged flower show with lectures, displays, vendors, food, things for kids to do. For more information call (207) 775-4403 or go to http://www.portlandcompany.com/flower/info.html. Usually Bangor, Maine has a show in April, but does not have one this year ¡Ì but they will return next year.

Last ¡Ìand smallest - is Floribunda in Tracy Hall, on Rte 5 in Norwich, Vermont on March 28-29. This is a wonderful small town flower show that costs only $5 for both days and allows kids under 12 in for free if accompanied by an adult. For more info call Mindy Penny at (802) 649-2169 or E-mail her at dmpenny2@comcast.net.

So if you can¡Ùt fly to the tropics, go to a flower show. Maybe I¡Ùll see you there - I¡Ùm the guy with the beret, the beard and the funky glasses.

Henry Homeyer is the author of 3 gardening books. You may contact him at www.henry.homeyer@comcast.net, or P.O. Box 364, Cornish Flat, NH 03746. His web site is www.Gardening-Guy.com