There is nothing quite like attending a flower garden show to see firsthand what is possible. Whether you enjoy watching flowers grow or just watching them all move around, you are in for the experience of a lifetime. However, unless you plan to attend all of the various events and check out all of the flower garden displays, you may miss some of the best things to do while in your area. So, here are some great ideas to get you started on your next flower garden trip.
The annual Flower Garden Show at the Illinois Botanical Garden is one of the best events of the year. For two full days, you will have the chance to see everything from a flower garden bed in Mexico to a flower garden in Costa Rica to a flower garden in Tennessee. You will also have the chance to meet with local flower breeders and growers to find the best flower seeds for your area. Then, once you’ve picked your plants and seeds, you can take your pick from the floral displays at the show.
If you live in the Chicago area, you won’t want to miss the annual Rose Festival at the Metro World’s main exhibition hall. This is a three day event that showcases the best of the city’s flower gardens. This is a great place to see plants and flowers in their most vibrant colors, along with beautiful displays by local flower breeders. Spend the morning at the exhibition to partake in the festival’s free flower garden show, then visit the gardens to enjoy the final day of the exhibition.
Another great flower garden show in Chicago is the Friends of the Archer Museum at De Paul University. This is a museum devoted to collecting and preserving the archery history of Chicago. During the annual Archer Festival, guests can stroll through historical displays and engage in short activities that teach the history of archery as well as interact with current archers. The event also includes a free show at the Galt extension of the museum starting on March 7th.
The Rose Festival in Hoffman Estates is another excellent show. This is a three day long festival celebrating the many different types of roses used in Illinois flower gardens. The festival includes an archery tournament, musical performances by local choirs and more. Activities at this festival include nature walks, a grand parade and lots of delicious food. You might even get to meet the celebrity chefs during the show!
At the Medinah Temple in Champaign, you’ll find the largest community garden in the state. The garden show includes hundreds of local gardens and showcases the work of many people, including award winning gardeners. Each year the show features new and local plant species that are being showcased for their beauty and ability to withstand dry soil, shade and more. It’s a fun time for visitors to explore some of the best gardens in the area.
If you’re looking for the perfect place to bring the family or your favorite gardener, consider the Urbana Gardens in Urbana. There are dozens of shows all throughout the year featuring flowers and garden activities. The flower garden show is held at the Wrigley Park campus every Thursday through Sunday. Hosted by internationally known flower gardenist Frank Barscik, the garden show is a family affair with plenty of fun for everyone in the family. You can even take a tour of the gardens during the show!
If you’re in Chicago, there are numerous events taking place all over the city that you can check out. One of them is the prestigious Midday Experiment, which takes place in Grant’s Park every Friday. This garden and events series are Chicago’s largest gathering of gardeners and has featured some of the best flower gardeners in the area. Check out this great event if you’re in Chicago and have some time to kill. You won’t regret it!