Sunday, February 24, 2013

Connecticut Flower and Garden Show 2013 at the CT Convention Center

In spite of still being somewhat buried under the remnants of snow...the Connecticut Convention Center was the first in Connecticut to welcome SPRING with the The 32nd Annual Connecticut Flower and Garden Show!

The show opened on Thursday and the theme of this year's show was "Love in Bloom."  To help celebrate the romantic theme, the convention center was the venue for a local Glastonbury couple, married 50 years, to renew their wedding vows, immediately after the show's opening in the beautiful flower filled hall.

Together they joined the committee in officially opening the show with the ceremonial cutting of the garland.  
Source: CT Garden Clubs
Kristie Gonsalves
, President of North East Expos, Inc. – the show’s organizer;
Becky Paul, Chair of The Federated Garden Clubs of CT’s Advanced Standard Flower Show competition;
Ronnie Schoelzel, President of The Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut

Flower garland of flowers and wedding flowers
created by Bob Kelly Florist of Hartford.
We made our way up early Sunday, while CT dodged another winter storm (hallelujah!) The Connecticut Flower and Garden Show was just what was needed to shake off the winter doldrums, and help us welcome spring!



Hello Spring!      Hello Flowers!     Hello Fresh Mulch!

Oh, how we've missed you!

It was wonderful to breathe in the earthy scent and enjoy the bright and vibrant colors!

There was so much to see in addition to flowers, although they were the highlights! Everything from birdhouses, to sculpture, to garden sheds and hot tubs. If you are looking for any product that has to do with landscaping, the Connecticut Flower and Garden Show is the place to go.
Grasshopper sculpture and landscape display
This beautifully set table was found under the flower and wire orbs and was designed by Creative Contours
Everything for the yard - from mulch to mowing to mod hot tubs
Beautiful Flower Arrangements
Amazing floral sculptures - These each stood approximately 4 ft tall.
Birdhouses, water features, and hanging pottery.
There were also household items available, for instance, this grater demonstration that I was drawn to because of the beautifully colored pottery.
Here's some of the other items that caught my eye. You'll see I seek out any tulips, Adirondack chairs, window boxes, or bunnies!


Bright and colorful garden tools! What's not to love?


so many amazing water features!


Every building looks better with a window box!


Someday I'll have a gazebo --- and I love this horse bench


My husband said to make sure I didn't come home with anything.
He didn't know there would be tomatoes there!!

Will someone come and do this landscaping in my yard for me? Please? 

ArtArondack!
 And for those planning weddings of their own...there were plenty of centerpieces and tablescapes for inspiration.






In addition there were over 80 hours of seminars by horticulturists and experts throughout the weekend, however, we were so caught up in the exhibits we were unable to attend any. Next year, though, we'll plan better.

Show sponsors include B & P Turf Farm, Goodyear Farms, T.J. Bark Mulch, Connecticut Horticulture Society, Bob Kelly Florist, Inc., WRCH Light 100.5, WFSB Channel 3, Bedard Enterprises, and North East Expos.

Special thanks to North East Expos for hosting the event and to my great friends Carol and Gayle for taking the trip to the Connecticut Flower and Garden Show with me!


For additional pictures visit the Home Place facebook page HERE

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Are you ready to get your "garden on" this year?

Do you have any landscape projects that you're planning?

I'd love to hear about them in the comments below!

20 comments:

  1. Great pictures of the show! We both focused on different aspects. Wasn't that table setting gorgeous? I really thought the displays were a notch up this year. If only this pesky snow would melt so I can get out there and get my "garden on"! As usual the list of projects is longer than hours in the day but that won't stop me from trying.

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    1. I was really impressed with the whole event! It was just what we New Englanders needed to shake off drab landscaping we're stuck with for awhile!

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  2. We went Saturday for a couple of hours and we thought it was the best year yet. Thanks for the reminder and maybe we can meet up at the next one. We are planning to install a backyard fountain so I'm glad we got to see some exammples.

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    1. Great that they had several there. They were all beautiful!

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  3. These are such beautiful pictures of the event. I adore that outdoor table with wicker seating and candles running down the center. What a lovely inspiration for summer parties!

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    1. I know! It sure makes us wish that summer would hurry up and get here!

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  4. What a beautiful event! I have always wanted to be able to have a dinner party under a tree in my backyard- now all I need is that table with the wicker benches and a tree! Great photos!

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    1. Thank you! Yes, that set up was a show stopper! The orbs looked pretty easy to make and I'm hoping to try my hand at crafting one or two. Or seven!

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  5. Looks like a gorgeous day! I've never been to a garden show, but my mom used to go fairly regularly. I'd love when she'd being me little houseplants she picked up. =)

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    1. It was great to finally get some hope of spring after CT was buried under 40 inches of snow just a few weeks ago!

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  6. Wow...50 years-What a blessing! I can only imagine how beautiful the ceremony was in person! Looks like you had an awesome time!

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    1. Kyle, it's 21 years for me and my husband today! I think Ben Affleck said it best at the Oscars... marriage is work...but its worth it!
      it was a great day! My first time at the CT Convention Center. Easy to get to and the event was worth the trip!

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  7. Bonnie,

    Great photos and documentary of the flower show. I'm so bummed I missed it this year...but thanks to your photos I got a good feel for it and some new ideas. We're looking to landscape our backyard this year and I love those little ponds and falls. Thanks for sharing! Happy Spring!

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    1. Hi Catherine,thank you so much for commenting on the pictures. I always think YOUR pictures are amazing, so it means a lot to me for you to comment on mine.
      Yes...I'd love to have some water features in my yard too! Aren't they beautiful!

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  8. Love the pictures especially the mantis. I am inspired to resolve to be a better gardener. It is a true weakness.Black thumbs have I.

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    1. Michelle...when we first moved to this house I was pretty good...but I have to admit I've gotten a little lazy in the last few years. This year I vow to do a some container gardening. I'm loving all that cobalt blue pottery.

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  9. I agree with the accolades of the photos. It truly gives you a sense of the event and the wonderful showpieces there!

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    1. Joe thank you so much! There were some unbelievable landscape models there. I don't know how they do it! But they sure do it well!

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  10. Great photos and documentary of the flower show. I'm so disappointed that I missed it this year...but thanks to your photos I got a good feel for it and some new ideas.

    parker retaining walls

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    1. The best thing about these shows are the inspiration they bring! Thanks for stopping by.

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