36th “Connecticut Flower & Garden Show” Coming February 23-26, 2017 to Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford

HARTFORD, Conn., Dec. 21, 2016 -- Get ready for Spring at the 36^th 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. 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.; and 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”;
• Connecticut Florist of the Year 2010, floral design instructor, and Connecticut Florists Association Board member Bob Buettner: “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: contact 860-844-8461 or [email protected]. Advance tickets are discounted by $2 and must be purchased by February 20, 2017 at these 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; and Woodland Gardens in Manchester.

www.CTFlowerShow.com, 860-844-8461 or Facebook

CONTACT: Laura Soll  860-688-4499, Cell 860-833-4466 or [email protected]