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.                             

The Annual Spring Bulb Show at Smith College in Western Massachusetts

Social Media Promotion: Hosted

This weekend we headed up north to Western Massachusetts, aka "the other side of MA" to visit the Annual Spring Bulb Show at the Botanic Garden of Smith College in Northampton Massachusetts. The northeast section of the U.S. has been experiencing some downright frigid temperatures - so a glimpse of spring would be a welcome respite to all us New Englanders!

The Botanic Garden of Smith College, developed in 1875, was the brainchild of  L. Clarke Seelye, the College's first president, who had a vision for the entire campus to be developed as a botanic garden. In addition to the aesthetic beauty it brought to the campus, this innovative concept would also allow for scientific research. While strolling the campus grounds don't be surprised if the  landscape feels somewhat familiar -  the same firm that designed Central Park was hired to bring President Seelye's vision to life. (Smith College, About Us)

Fast forward to Smith College in the 21st century and the Botanic Garden of today includes thousands of plants, including those grown under glass in the Lyman Conservatory and outdoors in the campus arboretum, the landscape for student learning, and various specialty gardens around campus. Additionally, there are 60,000 pressed specimens available for research in the herbarium.

The living plant specimens are the heart of the Botanic Garden and their bridge to the rest of the botanical world, studying the past through the future. (Smith College, About Us)

One of their most popular exhibitions is the Annual Spring Bulb Show which dates back to the early 1900's. This showcase of spring blooming flowers includes crocuses, hyacinths, narcissi, irises, lilies and tulips as well as non-hardy South African Bulbs. The process begins in October, when Smith College horticulture students pot up the bulbs and put them into cold storage. Starting in January, the bulbs are moved to the greenhouses. It takes careful timing and temperature control to orchestrate their colorful and fragrant debut in March.

Here are some of the beautiful sights from the 2017 showcase:

In addition to the flowering bulbs there is a tropical rainforest area with ponds, water features, exotic orchids, and tropical plants

The Spring Bulb Show opens the first Saturday in March; runs for two weeks including the third weekend.

Weekday Hours: Monday through Thursday: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM daily.
Extended Hours: Friday, Saturday and Sunday 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Suggested Donation: $5.00

This year the Spring Bulb Show Runs March 4th through March 19th - don't miss this beautiful 'welcome to spring' with a bounty of blooming flowers at Smith College Botanic Garden.

The Botanic Garden at Smith College

16 College Lane
Northampton, MA 01063


The bulb show also offers a bulb sale the weekend after the show. Details are available at https://www.smith.edu/garden/event/after-the-show-bulb-sale

Don't miss any of the upcoming events at the Botanic Garden - look here https://www.smith.edu/garden/events and save the dates of November 4 - November 19th for their Fall themed Chrysanthemum Show where the deep autumnal tones of fall are featured.

Look for more beauty in 'the other side of MA" by searching  the hashtags #InBloomMA and #otherSideMA on your favorite social media outlets.

Disclaimer: This visit was part of a trip sponsored in part by the Hampshire County Regional Tourism Council, however all opinions are my own.


© Home Place 2017

Connecticut Flower and Garden Show Feb 23rd-26th 2017

The 36th Annual 

Connecticut Flower and Garden Show 

returns to 

Hartford Connecticut!

Save the dates for the annual CT Flower and Garden Show at the Connecticut Convention Center.

February 23-26, 2017 

Get ready for spring months before the weather warms up at the 36th annual “Connecticut Flower & Garden Show” on Thursday, February 23 through Sunday, February 26, 2017 at the Connecticut Convention Center on 100 Columbus Blvd. in Hartford.

Show Times:

One of the largest and most prestigious flower shows in all of New England, the show’s hours are:

• Thursday, Feb. 23 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. 
• Friday, Feb. 24 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Saturday, Feb. 25 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Sunday, Feb. 26 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The colorful, fragrant show covers almost three acres with the 2017 theme, “Woodland Enchantment”, with creative and practical ideas for house, apartment and condo dwellers alike.

 Highlights include:

- Over an acre of gardens in full bloom, created by professional landscape designers and nonprofit organizations, and include naturalistic, low maintenance, native, organic, herb and pollinator gardens.

- The Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut’s 2017 Advanced Standard Flower Show: more than 12,000-square feet of a design, horticulture and photography competition with more than 250 judged entries, all with the “Woodland Enchantment” theme.

- 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:

• Roger Swain, The Man in the Red Suspenders, former host of PBS’ The Victory Garden and HGTV’s People, Places & Plants: “No Fruit Like Your Own Fruit” on Thursday at 2 p.m. and Friday at 11 a.m.;
• Nancy DuBrule-Clemente: “More Food from Small Gardens” and “Plants with a Purpose – More Than Just a Pretty Face!”;
• Carol King Platt: “The Year Round Cutting Garden” and “Vertical Gardening”;
• Helen Yetman-Bellows: “The Yogic Gardener™” Clinic”;
• Bob Buettner:  Connecticut Florist of the Year 2010, floral design instructor, and Connecticut Florists Association Board member presenting on “Floral Arranging”;
• Karen Bussolini: “The Year Round Pollinator Garden” and “Eco-Friendly Garden Coach; Problem Solving & Brainstorming Session”;
• Amanda Morris: “Backyard Chickens”; and
• Andy Brand: “Plants with Year Round Appeal”.

Admission: 

$18 Adults;
$16 Seniors Age 62 and Over on Thursday/Friday only;
$4 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 20, 2017 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 Garden Center in Newington; 
• Woodland Gardens in Manchester.

Show sponsors include B & P Turf Farm, Maple Meadow Farm, Bob Buettner Florist, WRCH Light 100.5, WFSB Channel 3, Bedard Enterprises, and North East Expos, Inc.

To join the email list and get more information about the 2017 Connecticut Flower & Garden Show, seminars, and driving directions, visit www.CTFlowerShow.com or our Facebook page, or call North East Expos, Inc. at 860-844-8461.

Gardens By The Sea - Madison Garden Tour in Madison CT

This weekend I joined Wendy from CT Lifestyles Magazine to enjoy a fun stroll through seven private Madison gardens located near Long Island Sound in Madison CT. The "Gardens by the Sea" Madison Garden Tour was sponsored by the Women's Club of Madison. 

Wendy had purchased our tickets in advance for $15 each, and on the day of the tour, tickets were available at the door for $18 at the Visitor Information Center. Proceeds from the tour will benefit the New Ambulance Barn Training Room.

Kathy DeBurra, President of the Madison Women's Club explained, 

"The Garden Tour is always a great event and ALL proceeds go back into our community! This project will raise funds to complete a training room for the Madison Ambulance Association. This room will be used for training, education, instruction and conducting critical incident stress debriefings. The room will need to be furnished completely including flooring, furniture, network connections and training materials."

The destinations were kept a secret until participants checked in and we received a brochure detailing the addresses, directions, and information about the property.

There were so many beautiful properties to view - here are the highlights from the stops we made in no particular order. At the end of this post is a link to additional pictures.

There was a great mix of garden styles, from cottage style to rustic to formal, and each one was wonderful in its own right. I can't pick a favorite and was wowed by something at each destination.  

Taking a garden tour is a great way to see the type of garden that you might want in your own yard - and now I have a better idea of what I want to do in mine. I know I'll mix many of the styles and include some formal boxwood hedges, lots of bright colors, and of course, I can't wait to include some statuary, window boxes, and container gardens.

For more pictures of our garden tour visit the Home Place facebook page HERE and while you're there, don't forget to like us!

Hope you enjoyed the Gardens by the Sea tour - have you been on any garden tours lately?

I'd love to hear about them!

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!