NIAGARA REGION –
From March 15-24, 2013 Canada Blooms returns to the Direct Energy Centre in Toronto for its 17th year as Canada’s largest flower and garden celebration.
The theme of this year’s festival is “The Magic of Spring”. Spring is a season of renewal and hope. It’s a time to celebrate the colours and scents of the season, and Canada Blooms is the perfect venue to jump-start the gardening season.
A sampling of the 2013 show highlights include:
What would Canada Blooms without flowers? I’m not a flower arranger by nature, but I love to see the spectacular floral arrangements entered in the newly named Toronto Flower Show. I Entries include regional, national and international competitors and innovative displays from well-known professional florists and growers in partnership with pickOntario. The creativity and talent of both the amateur and professional designers is truly inspiring. Be sure to stop by the exhibits—you’ll be amazed.
Some of Canada’s best-known garden and landscape specialists will on hand to share their insights and expertise in a comprehensive series of lectures, demonstrations and workshops. I suggest you visit the website (www.canadablooms.com) and look over the list of speakers appearing on the day of your visit, if you’re like me, you may want to schedule your visit to coincide with a lecture that really piques your interest. Topics include everything from Celebrating Wildflowers from Seed to Vase with Miriam Goldberger, to Garden Crazy: Fable, Folklore, Facts about the Crazy World of Gardening with Frankie Ferragine. Just about every garden related topic you can imagine will be covered, there’s sure to be a topic that will pique your interest.
The Marketplace showcases the latest and greatest garden and landscape products and services. It’s always fun to see what is new and exciting, or to reconnect with an old-time favorite product (or plant) that you haven’t been able to find locally. Be sure to try on the garden hats (there’s always a great selection) and treat yourself to an armful of fresh flowers—they are irresistible.
The Feature Gardens, designed by Ontario’s premier landscape architects and designers are always a feast for the eyes. Slow down and give yourself the time to really check out the intricate details included in these projects, I come home with a list of ideas to include in my garden plan every year.
Niagara is well represented with Aura Landscaping ‘Senses Awaken’ garden: “Melt your winter blues away as the magic of spring awakens your senses, leading you down our garden path towards the warmth, sights, sounds and scents that we call spring. Let nature’s elements rejuvenate your soul in this tranquil setting that showcases our passion for what we do,” Scott Duff, Aura Landscaping.
Mori Gardens and Reif Winery have paired up to present a ‘Wine Sensory Garden’ where visitors are encouraged to “contemplate the sounds, colours, aromas and flavors in a relaxed oasis garden.” Reif will share wines that pair with cheese samples from the Dairy Farmers of Canada.
Let the kids explore the Bienenstock Natural Playground designed in partnership with the Canadian Wildlife Federation. “This fully accessible playground is designed to inspire teachers and parents to engage all five senses through play.” Features include a chime fence, sand and water play, twisted log fort, and a sideways tree climber. This sounds like a lot of fun for both children and the young at heart.
“Gardening is a great way to relieve stress, take time for yourself, and unwind,” says gardening expert Denis Flanagan. “Gardening also allows you to take part in an activity that takes on a life of its own and offers an end result for you to take pride in.”
In 2012, Canada Blooms co-located with The National Home Show, Canada’s largest Home Event to become the largest Home and Garden Event presented in North America and largest Consumer Show presented in Canada, attracting over 203,000 guests to experience North America’s most comprehensive home and garden experience. As a convenience for guests, a single ticket purchase of $20 at either event allows attendees to visit both events.
Canada Blooms is a not-for-profit organization that gives back to the community throughout the year by funding community garden projects around Ontario. Canada Blooms is also dedicated to providing the community with horticulture expertise, education and resources on an ongoing basis.
For more information and to purchase festival tickets please visit: www.canadablooms.com.
Theresa Forte is a local garden consultant, writer and photographer. You can reach her by calling 905-351-7540 or by email theresa_forte@sympatico.ca
Denis Flanagan’s top five reasons to resolve to garden in 2013.
1. Gardening is good for your health
Gardening is a natural stress reliever, as well as a natural exercise and can also help release your artistic side.
2. Gardening helps instill life lessons
Gardening can help teach lessons — especially to children—such as nurturing, care, how to share something with other etc.
3. Gardening helps foster relationships with neighbours
Being out in your garden can help break the ice between you and your neighbors as well as other members of your community.
4. Gardening increases the value of your real estate
Adding an updated landscape theme or a beautiful new garden can increase your home’s value while also giving you a sense of pride.
5. Gardening can help conserve water/nature/environment
Adding a bird feeder to your garden will bring an added element of wildlife to your home, and installing a rain barrel or water-conserving fountain looks great while also conserving and reusing water.
Bus trip to Canada Blooms
The Niagara on the Lake Horticultural Society has organized a bus trip to Canada Blooms, March 20, 2013. The cost is $40.00 for Hort. members, and $45.00 for non-members. This includes the bus and ticket to the show.
Contact Rose Walsh 905-934-9230 rosewalsh@sympatico.ca or Donna Carter 905-262-4362 carter.11@sympatico.ca for details and tickets.
Meet the author
Theresa Forte will present ‘Take Great Garden Photos—With The Camera You Already Have’ at Canada Blooms on March 23, 2013 at 4:00 p.m. Grey Power Garden Solutions Series, Room 102, Hall A. Hope to see you there!
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