One-Tank Trip for
Feb. 14/15
(c) By Jim Fox
Everything’s coming
up roses, tulips, daffodils, lilies, chrysanthemums, daisies – and even orchids
– at flower shows in Stratford, Toronto and the Royal Botanical Gardens.
Savour this early
taste of spring with a cavalcade of colours and earthy scents.
Zoom, zoom
It’s “Blooming
Beautiful” at the Stratford Garden Festival from March 5 to 8 at the Rotary
Complex.
A 1926 Model T will
be the focal point for Richard Ivey, of Richard’s Lawn and Garden Care, while Sebringville
Garden Centre will have a “fairy glen of leafy ferns and cool moss, the perfect
home for magical inhabitants,” said Deedee Herman of the sponsoring Lung
Association.
“Visitors to the
Caribbean-themed garden, created by A Touch of Dutch Landscaping, will relax
among tiki umbrellas, gorgeous blooms and water features,” she added.
Eight gardens will
showcase the talent and creativity of area landscapers and offer inspiration for
the gardening season ahead.
 |
| Colourful blooms
and spring fragrances fill the air at the Stratford Garden Festival. |
Visitors will
discover ideas to apply to their own gardens including water features, colour
and form to designing a quiet green oasis and creating a modern entertaining setting.
There will also be
beautifully designed planters on display while the show’s Marketplace will be bursting
with items to tempt the garden enthusiast.
Speakers sharing
their knowledge include Frankie Flowers; Carson Arthur; Sean James; Miriam
Goldberger; David Hobson; and Beckie Fox.
 |
| Inviting and creative settings can be found at the Stratford Garden Festival.
|
There’s a Seniors’
Tea on March 5 and that night from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. is the Opening Garden
Party with live music, an auction, food and drink (
tickets are $30).
Family Fun Night is March 6 from 5
p.m. to 8 p.m. with
Bogle the Clown and children can create
a garden craft, take part in story-telling, a scavenger hunt, face painting and
enjoy free refreshments.
The Stratford
Rotary Complex is at 353 McCarthy Rd. Tickets are $9 (free to children to age
12); $20, four-day pass.
Hours are March 5,
noon to 5 p.m.; March 6, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; March 7, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; and
March 8, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
stratfordgardenfestival.com;
(519) 271-7500
Slip away
Canada Blooms, from
March 13 to 22 at National Home Show at Exhibition Place in Toronto, offers an
escape from winter with “inspiring and engaging fantasy gardens.”
As Canada’s largest
flower and garden festival, it will have a whole new look and feel, moving to a
new location in the Direct Energy Centre at Exhibition Place.
 |
| Canada Blooms is an
escape from winter with inspiring and engaging fantasy gardens. |
“Canada Blooms is
sure to brighten up your day and leave you with a new appreciation for the
beauty of garden landscapes,” said Terry Caddo, general manager.
The Let’s Play theme
will “inspire our garden designers and builders to create acres of fantasy
gardens that capture the imagination.”
Visitors will see “stunning
showcases” with vibrant colours, alluring fragrances and captivating designs
while Landscape Ontario incorporates a natural climbing wall in its Otium
Garden.
For inspiration on
edible landscapes, industry experts will show how to grow vegetables while seminar
hosts include the Pond Stars from National Geographic and TV gardening experts
Mark Cullen and Frankie Flowers.
 |
| Canada Blooms displays "stunning showcases." |
Floral Alley is
another highlight that changes and blooms daily, and specialty nurseries will
showcase the hottest garden trends, tools and unusual varieties and colours of
plants and flowers.
Kids can get their
hands dirty by learning how to garden and take home vegetables and flowers.
Show hours are
Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, March 15, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and
Sunday, March 22, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tickets are $20;
$17, seniors; $16, students; free to age 12 (discounted online).
canadablooms.com
Blooming nice
The Orchid
Society’s annual show is on Feb. 28 (noon to 5 p.m.) and March 1 (10 a.m. to 5
p.m.) at the Royal Botanical Gardens (680 Plains Rd. W.) in Burlington.
There will be
thousands of orchid blooms, artistic displays, plants and gift items for sale,
art and photography displays, and seminars.
 |
| A frog exhibit is a
“ribbitting” show at the Royal Botanical Gardens about colourful creatures
including this ornate horned frog. |
On through April 12
is the exhibition Frogs: A Chorus of Colours, a “ribbitting”
show about these colourful creatures “whose beauty and elegance are often
overlooked.”
The shows are included
with gardens’ admission at $12.50; $10.50, seniors/students; $7.50, ages four
to 12; $30.50, family. Discounts online
rbg.ca;
1-800-694-4769
-30-
