Category Archives: Flower Shows

2013 Boston Flower and Garden Show Delivers Sights and Sounds of Spring

First of several posts.  Lots to share!
Spring GardenThe Seaport World Trade Center was abuzz yesterday morning with gardeners putting the finishing touches on their Flower Show displays.  The show opens today, March 13.

I dodged a forklift, piles of soil and a Zipcar backing into place but the activity did not interfere with my sense of enchantment.  The garden displays this year are rich – in color, design and size.  Beautiful flowers and trees are nestled along stone Imagewalls, patio spaces and above moon gates.  The sound of water is everwhere – in falls, pools, fountains and spouts.  There are parrots, hens, a rooster and a pair of sleek grey birds that look like small emus.   And there are plenty of hidden flower delights if you look keenly, like fairy houses near Hobbit holes and gentle beds of helleborus.
There are a several small displays.  The Hellleboruswindow gardens in the back of the main hall are delightful as is the Massachusetts Horticultural’s old-time flower display, complete with wash board and clothes on a line.  Overall, every display is evokes a smile and a deep inhale.
The Show’s first display as you enter the hall shows garden entertainment at its finest.  It’s a lush, multi-section outdoor patio with a man-sized Patio with BBQ and BarBBQ grill and stone bar with table seating for four and more at the bar.  It took me a minute to take in and appreciate the surrounding garden but there’s no denying I’d love to have this look in my back yard (if Patio with WaterfallI had one).  The BBQ space flows to a raised covered patio section with comfy chairs, a fireplace and two waterfall chutes splashing into a pool.  The chutes really got my attention. Overall, the display and its beautiful and lavish flowers and trees set the mood for a perfect summer evening.

One of my favorite displays at the Show is another outdoor patio surrounded by lush, aromatic plants.  Designed by Maria at Interiors by MS, the focal point is a vertical garden of herbs and geranivertical garden long viewums with a water feature of four simple copper spouts splashing into a large pool.  Maria told me that a vertical garden can reduce the temperature around it by 15 – 20 degrees. Comfortable, earth-toned furniture sit low and humble under a stained-glass pergola.  There is a pleasing, subtle aromas coming from the lavender, mint, roses and more that ring the relaxed space.  I could so live in this space.  That’s it for now.  I’ll share more pictures and details in my next post.
This year’s Boston Flower Show delivers on the sights and sounds of Spring.  It opens today, March 13 and runs through Sunday, March 17.  Go if you can!

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Boston Flower Show Opens This Week!

ImageIt’s almost time for the Boston Flower & Garden Show!  I must admit I get so excited when the show opens.  It’s like going to Oz.  First it’s that lovely, earthy smell of mulch as you walk through the doors.  Then the vivid carpets of color from flowers in full bloom bunched close, overflowing from pots, arranged neatly.  Somewhere close by water is splashing from a fountain or wFountain and Urn of Succulentsaterfall.   And the people are abuzz – walking, talking, oohing, aahhing and yes, shopping.  The show always delivers inspiration and gets me all jazzed with new ideas for my own garden.
The Bost564on Flower Show returns to the Seaport World Trade Center in Boston this week!  It opens to the winter-weary public on Wednesday, March 13 and runs through Sunday, March 17, 2013.
This year’s theme is ‘Seeds of Change’ and will showcase new plants, methods and materials to increase the beauty, bounty and the ecological friendliness of gardens and outdoor spaces.
Since I’m a member of the Garden Writers of America, I plan to visit the show on March 12th during the Media tour.  I’ll write a ‘first look’ blog post with photos later that day.  Just for City Garden Ideas readers like you!
Tickets to the show are $20 for adults and $10 for children.  To buy tickets, click here.

Boston Flower Show – Colorful, Aromatic, Surprising

Front Entrance to the Flower Show
Hello all:
The Boston Flower Show is abloom at the Seaport World Trade Center!  But hurry, it’s only there through Sunday.

My husband, my mom and I attended the Flower Show preview party on Wednesday night, a benefit for the Boston Parks Department.  They do such great work!    It was wonderful to smell Hyacinths in the Gardenthe hyacinths tucked in the corner of a garden bed and the White Rose Bridal Bouquetroses in the wedding bouquets.  The bed of  orange tulips was welcoming and there were bright, perky yellow daffodils everywhere. The show floor has 10 or so beautifully landscaped vignettes.  The tiered garden with the splashing waterfall flanked by suspended staircases got our vote as  most desirable! Tiered garden with waterfall and seating areaAnd there was time to  admire the color, whimsy and surprises in the display of flower hats and flower shoes.  There was something to see, smell and hear around every turn. What fun!

Leafy HatFlower HatThe show did seem a bit smaller than in year’s past.  Not sure if that is true or my imagination.  Maybe it’s the two sides of vendors selling garden items that makes the show seem a biLandscaped Garden at the Flower Showt squeezed.  Even with that, it was worth taking in… I am jazzed to start designing my garden and planning for the new season.  I’m actually thinking about making a vertical garden of clematis or mandevilla.  The show definitely spurred my thinking.  I’ll share more in the days and weeks ahead.  Spring is next week.  Can’t wait!Janine at Flower Show 2012

Contest Deadline for Flower Show Tickets Midnight Tonight!

Boston Flower and Garden Show logo
Time is running out… 

Comment on this post and tell me about your favorite flower and why you love it.  50 words max!
You’ll be entered to win two tickets to the 2012 Boston Flower Show. 
Contest ends  at midnight tonight!
Winner announced on Sunday, March 11th!
The Boston Flower Show runs from March 14 – 18, 2012 at the Seaport World Trade Center.

Win Tickets to the 2012 Boston Flower Show

Calling all gardeners!Lush container with fronds and ferns
Here’s your chance to win two tickets (a $40 value) to the Boston Flower Show, March 14 -18, 2012 at the Seaport World Trade Center…
Here’s how… simply comment on this post and tell us about your favorite garden or container flower and why you like it so much. 
Send a photo if possible.   Keep comments to 50 words or less. 
Deadline for entry is midnight Sat. March Daffodils planted in white rain boots10th. 
The best submission (funny, useful, inspiring) will be chosen Sunday, March 11th and announced at 2pm that day on this blog.  Decision of the judge (me) is final.  Tickets will be delivered or sent overnight mail.  Good luck! 

For more on the 2012 Boston Flower Show, watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMSl-0bVnTo

Boston Flower Show Preview Party – Come Join Me!

Hello All:
Every year I love going to the Boston Flower Show.  It’s like Oz.  Filled with vibrant colors, whimsical designs and dreams and ideas for another wonderful gardening season…

The stage is set for another great show from March 14 – 18 at the Seaport World Trade Center.  The theme is “First Impressions.  Adding WOW Factor to Outdoor Spaces.”
While I love the show, I don’t like the enormous crowds, the hot hall or craning my neck to catch a glimpse of some of the exhibits.

Let me share with you how you can see the show – at its most fresh and at a leisurely pace – and help a very worthy cause!

On March 13th from 5:30pm to 8pm, there is a fundraising Preview Party at the Seaport World Trade Center for the 2012 Boston Flower & Garden Show.  The proceeds from the Preview Party will help restore Boston Parks Department’s Greenhouses, where plants are grown for the Public Garden, Boston Common, and dozens of neighborhood parks.

Special guests, entertainment, delightful food and beverage and a silent auction make this an exclusive and enjoyable opportunity to view the show’s gardens and exhibits before the show opens to the general public the following day.

Tickets are $100 each before February 14, $125 per person thereafter.  Ticket includes admission to the private party, exclusive viewing of the Flower Show’s gardens and the chance to meet the designers, open bar, complimentary hor d’oeuvres reception, live music, and one ticket to return to the Flower Show later in the week.

Download a ticket order form today by visiting www.bostonflowershow.com/preview-party/.

I’ll be there with my mom and husband smelling the roses!   Hope to see you there!Janine seated on a stone wall with yellow, pick and white flowers in the background