Monday, February 25, 2019

Garden shows offer taste of spring and a blooming good time

   One-Tank Trip for Feb. 23/19

    (c) By Jim Fox


   Everything’s coming up roses – and just about everything else – for a taste of spring at the Stratford Garden Festival, Canada Blooms and the Peterborough Garden Show.
   Stratford’s show, presented by the Lung Association Feb. 28 to March 3, is at the Stratford Rotary Complex, (353 McCarthy Rd.).
   “It’s a wonderful day trip and reminder that spring is just around the corner,” said Tracy Brennan, regional manager.
The Stratford Garden Show offers a welcome taste of spring. (Photos by Randy Huitema, Trending.Info)
    Along with the colourful gardens showcasing the talent and creativity of area landscapers and offering inspiration for the gardening season ahead, there is “an amazing line up of speakers,” she added.
   Visitors will discover ideas to apply to their gardens – from water features to the use of colour and form.

   There are tips on designing a quiet green oasis to creating a modern setting for outdoor entertaining.
   The fest attracts about 8,000 gardening enthusiasts, with this year’s design theme being Small Space Gardening and Urban Edibles.
   Among the experts who can assist with inspiring ideas are Mark and Ben Cullen on “Escape to Reality: Why do we garden? Why should we? How is gardening changing the world?”
   Other topics are growing veggies, native plants, trees for small spaces, talking dirt(y), lighting up the garden, easy landscape maintenance and growing in four seasons.
   There is also the city farmer’s adventure in urban food growing, landscaping a small yard, lavender hives, garden design secrets and the Chelsea Flower Show.

   The marketplace is “bursting with items to tempt the garden enthusiast,” from the latest in plants and seeds to hand-crafted pottery, garden accessories, whimsical bird houses, metal work, local honey, garlic and jams.
   The show opens Feb. 28 with a Seniors Tea from noon to 4 p.m., with hours that day, noon to 5 p.m.; March 1 and 2, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and March 3, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
   Admission, $10. lungontario.ca/stratford-garden-festival; (519) 453-9086

   A blooming affair
   The theme is A Family Affair for Canada Blooms from March 8 to17 at the Enercare Centre at Exhibition Place in Toronto and again co-located with the National Home Show.
   “We want to celebrate families rooted at the heart of great gardens,” said general manager Terry Caddo.
This garden with a water theme at Canada Blooms is by J. Garfield Thompson Landscape Ltd.
    Since backyards are an extension of the home and “truly reflect the creativity and passion of diverse families,” the inner child can be seen in vibrant and imaginative showcases, he added.
    Canada Blooms, founded by Landscape Ontario and the Garden Club of Toronto, is the country’s largest celebration of gardens and flowers.
   Visitors will see gardens that are “stunning showcases with vibrant colours, alluring fragrances and captivating designs that will overtake your senses.”
   Inspiration includes grand designs, innovative small space gardens and the featured Green Streets Play Zone for games, building sandcastles and planting seeds.

   Canada Blooms has selected the Electric Love Weigela as its Plant of the Year from Van Belle Nursery of British Columbia.
   It is described as having “shockingly vibrant red bell-shaped flowers that cover dark foliage and is compact and showy.” canadablooms.com; 1-800-730-1020

   Spring inspiration
   The Peterborough Horticultural Society, around since 1861, wants to “inspire you and celebrate the coming of spring.”
    That happens at the Peterborough Garden Show from April 26 to 28 at Fleming College Trades and Technology Centre (599 Brealey Dr.).
   “Our theme, Coming up Roses, is reflected in several of our amazing speakers along with educational and fun workshops and demos,” organizers said.
   There will be about 100 vendors and exhibitors who are landscapers, gardeners, growers, teachers and designers along with garden displays, demonstrations, speakers and activities for children. peterboroughgardenshow.com
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Jim Fox can be reached at onetanktrips@hotmail.com
For more One-Tank Trips: http://1tanktrips.blogspot.ca

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