2018 Connecticut Flower and Garden Show - in Hartford CT

The 37th Connecticut Flower and Garden Show
is coming to Hartford Convention Center
February  22-25, 2018 

I was so happy tonight when I left work - and it was still light out! This time of year the days are noticeably getting longer - which means ONE thing! 

That's right!

 SPRING IS ON THE WAY!

And that means it's time to count down to the “Connecticut Flower & Garden Show” in Hartford CT! Here's where we New Englanders can enjoy the beauty of spring even before the weather warms up!

This year the 37th annual “Connecticut Flower & Garden Show” begins on Thursday, February 22th and runs through Sunday, February 25th, 2018 at the Connecticut Convention Center on 100 Columbus Blvd. in Hartford. 

This show NEVER disappoints and is one of the largest and most prestigious flower shows in all of New England. This year's theme is "Breath of Spring" -- a completely perfect theme!

The show’s hours are: 

Thursday, Feb. 22 from 10 a.m. to  7 p.m.; 
Friday, Feb. 23 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; 
Saturday, Feb. 24 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and 
Sunday, Feb. 25 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

The colorful, fragrant show covers almost three acres of a “Breath of Spring”, with creative and practical ideas for house, apartment and condo dwellers alike.  

Highlights include: 

• Over an acre of different gardens in full bloom, created by professional landscape designers and nonprofit organizations. Includes naturalistic, low maintenance, native, organic, herb and pollinator gardens. Featured in this area will be “Butterfly Encounter”, an interactive walk-through exhibit of live butterflies in all cycles of development. 
• Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut’s 2018 Advanced Standard Flower Show: over 12,000 square feet of a design, horticulture, botanical arts and photography competition with more than 250 judged entries, all themed “Breath of Spring”. 
• Over 300 booths of displays, activities and shopping: artisans and handcrafted gifts, fresh flowers, plants, garden ornaments, metalwork sculptures, herbs, bulbs, seeds, fertilizers, soils, gardening books, patio furniture and lawn and garden tools and equipment. Bring a 1/2 cup of soil to the UConn Co-op booth for free soil testing.  
• More than 80 hours of seminars by horticulturists and experts are included in general admission (see www.CTFlowerShow.com for full schedule) including:  
• Craig LeHoullier, author of Epic Tomatoes and Growing Vegetables in Straw Bales, Garden Writers Association Gold Award winner 2016; 
• Stephanie Cohen a/k/a The Perennial Diva, gardening designer, author and lecturer; 
• Doug Tallamy, author, professor and chair of the Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at University of Delaware, who focuses on understanding the many ways insects interact with plants and how such interactions determine the diversity of animal communities;
• Nancy DuBrule-Clemente, author, horticulturist & owner of Natureworks Horticultural Services, an organic garden center, landscape design, consultation, installation and maintenance service in Northford, Conn.;  
• Len Giddix, a garden guri, former mushroom grower and the radio co-host of the weekly Garden Talk show; 
• Tovah Martin, Horticulturalist, author, freelance writer, photo stylist and lecturer; and 
• Charlie Nardozzi, gardening author, public speaker, radio & TV show host and garden coach. 

Admission: 

$18 Adults; 
$16 Seniors age 62 and over on Thursday/Friday only; 
$5 Children 5-12; Free under age 5. 
Admission payment by Cash Only.  Group rates for 15 or more people: contact 860-844-8461 or Kristie@northeastexpos.com.  

Advance tickets are discounted by $2 and can be purchased no later than February 16, 2018 at the following Connecticut locations: 

• The Garden Barn Nursery in Vernon; 
• Garden Specialties in Mystic; 
• Moscarillo’s Garden Shoppe in West Hartford; 
• Natureworks in Northford; 
• Stonehedge Landscaping & Garden Center in Newington; and
• Woodland Gardens in Manchester.  

Show Sponsors: 

B & P Turf Farm, Maple Meadow Farm, Bob Buettner Florist, Renewals by Anderson, Bedard Enterprises, and North East Expos, Inc.  


To join the email list and get more information about the 2018 Connecticut Flower & Garden Show, seminars, and driving directions, visit www.CTFlowerShow.com or their Facebook page, and follow them on twitter or call North East Expos, Inc. at 860-844-8461.                             

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!

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

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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!