According to the National Weather Service Indianapolis office, Winter 2016-17, Hoosiers have seen record warmth — and little snowfall. While drivers and outdoor workers may rejoice at that news, gardeners know that the unusual weather may alter gardening plans as we head into spring. Now in its 59th year, the Indiana Flower + Patio Show at the Indiana State Fairgrounds is a place where people visit to become inspired, informed and energized with helpful advice, thousands of solutions and the coolest new products. The show features more than 40 Showcase Gardens crafted by many of Indiana’s premier landscapers, hundreds of finer outdoor living experts, and thousands of ideas to take home.
Get your questions answered by Purdue Master Gardener volunteers at the “Purdue Plant Info To Go” booth, Trained Master Gardeners will be on hand to share home gardening information with Flower + Patio Show attendees throughout the show.
In addition, check out the show’s Feature Gardens scattered throughout the West Pavilion and Expo Hall. The Showcase Gardens will be bigger and more extravagant than ever. All the gardens at the Flower + Patio Show will include one or more items that are old, new, borrowed or blue. It might be an antique or a new plant, a borrowed artifact or new trendy blue color.
New this year is the Plant Market, located just inside the north entrance of West Pavilion. This is your chance to take home plants for your own garden.
There will also be workshops available throughout the show. Create gardens of all types and sizes, build your dream bridal bouquet, design a unique signature bracelet and much more during these brand-new workshops. All workshops will take place in Expo Hall near the Outdoor Living Stage at the west end of the building.
More than 12,000 square feet of gardens “in the dark” use only landscape, theatrical and multi-purpose lighting. This never-before-seen feature is headlined by Vive Exterior Design, Fiano Landscapes and Country Gardens. And joining them is Cool Ponds. Always a crowd favorite, Expo Hall in the Dark promises a stunning waterscape design. Packed full of gardens and features, Expo Hall will be just as beautiful and full of must-see features as West Pavilion.
Almost all plant materials, hardscapes, structures and decorative pieces used to create the magnificent gardens at this year’s event are available at the annual Blooming Sale. When you see something for your own at-home landscape, talk with the onsite representatives of the garden where it’s displayed, and they will reserve the item for you. Then on the final Sunday of the show, you can pick up your new treasure.
Tickets are $14 for adults, and children 12 and under are admitted free. Hours are Saturdays 10 a.m. – 9 p.m., Sundays 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday-Wednesday, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., Thursday-Friday, 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Check out the Indiana Flower + Patio Show website at www.IndianaFlowerandPatioShow.com and get a $2 off admission — good every day.
