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

*********

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!

The Upcoming Connecticut Flower and Garden Show 2013

It's the first of the garden shows in CT! 

The 32nd Annual Connecticut Flower and Garden Show!

Source: CT Flower & Garden Show 

If you love gardens - this is the show for you!
February 21st - 24th 2013

***Update: Read my recap of the Flower Show HERE ***

The Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford once again hosts this beautiful garden show to help us get over the wrath of Nemo/Charlotte and begin planning and dreaming of the spring flowers that will soon be here!

Really. They will. I promise!

Source: Connecticut Flower and Garden Show

Over 300 vendors/booths/exhibitors will be available with fresh flowers, plants, herbs, bulbs and seeds. Spread over almost 3 acres, the exhibition includes floral and horticultural masterpieces and gardening products and services.  See a list of exhibitors HERE.

I can't wait to go to the Connecticut Flower and Garden Show and get some inspiration!

Source: CT Flower & Garden Show 

In addition, each day offers your choice of seminars on everything from successful gardening, to pond ecology, to landscape lighting. See HERE for a list of seminars and classes.

Date and Times:

              Thursday 2-21-13 through Sunday 2-24-13

• Thursday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.;
• Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.;
• Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Admission:

• Adults, $16; 
• children ages 5-12, $4

Tickets are available at the Connecticut Convention Center (cash only) or in advance (with a discount) at the following until February 19th.

• Garden Barn, Vernon CT 
• Garden Specialities, Mystic, CT
• Hunter's Pool Center, Yalesville, CT
• Lawncare, Etc. North Haven, CT
• Mocarillo's Garden Shoppe, West Hartford, CT
• Natureworks, Northford, CT
• Revays, Road Brook, CT
• Stonehedge, Newington, CT
• Woodland Gardens, Manchester, CT

Parking is available at the Connecticut Convention Center Garage.

• $3.00 first hour
• $2.00 each additional hour
• $19.00 daily maximum

The Connecticut Flower and Garden Show 

Connecticut Convention Center

100 Columbus Blvd.

Hartford, CT

Information: www.ctflowershow.com

Follow them on Twitter: @CTFlowerGarden

***** 

Hope we see you there!

Are you looking forward to spring?

What's the first flower that appears in your garden?

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