Art that can withstand Wisconsin’s winters? If it sounds improbable, it is not. The 90th REALTORS® Home Garden Show presented by Unilock is stretching its floor plan – or its canvas – to introduce new designs into this year’s show.
The show is touting a newly expanded sculpture garden featuring large and small masterpieces by Bruce Niemi, Peter Flanary, Jason Verbeek, Beth Sahagian and Herb Johnson. It is all part of the theme of this year’s show, “Home is Where the Art is,” which encourages homeowners to personalize their space.
“Whether you’re a do-it-yourselfer or prefer to leave projects to the pros, we’re chocking this year’s show full of designs and demos to inspire and develop guests’ craft,” said Sandi Anderson, director of the REALTORS® Home Garden Show.
One of the show’s main attractions, its 10,000-square-feet Garden Promenade, will again feature living gardenscapes designed by 12 area landscapers. Although each backyard retreat will feature the latest trends, techniques and colors, all will also integrate an outdoor sculpture into the plan.
Ground Affects Landscaping of Sullivan will present an outdoor sanctuary with handcrafted metal sculptures by Hartland artist Herb Johnson. View Johnson’s clever creations tucked into plantings perched alongside a fountain or stationed in the outdoor kitchen.
Kelly’s Greenscapes of Sussex will combine colorful gardens with natural and manmade stone and a gentle waterfall to create a comfortable, relaxed space. Features will include two wood arbors, a winding garden path, outdoor seating, and a grill and bar area.
La Rosa Landscape Company of Cedarburg will debut a relaxing outdoor living room sheltered by an attractive cedar structure. Highlights will include a striking see-through, two-way masonry fireplace and kitchen area with a stainless steel built-in grill and stunning bluestone bar.
StoneOak Landscapes of Cudahy will showcase an “Artist’s Garden” with sculptures by Beth Sahagian. The space will blend lush plantings with stone, brick, wood, metal and water to create an elegant and natural outdoor room. Authentic brick pavers will convey an Old World charm and a grapevine-draped pergola will create a shady and rustic summer retreat.
Other landscapers that will be featured in the Garden Promenade include Aquatica of Wales, Breezy Hill Nursery of Salem, Brennan Landscaping of Wauwatosa, Exteriors Unlimited Landscape Contractors of Mequon, Extreme Exteriors of Big Bend, Innovative Exteriors Landscape of Oconomowoc, MJS Landscaping Services of Pewaukee and Quality Landscaping of Grafton. Each will also delight guests with elegant outdoor living spaces and one-of-a-kind outdoor sculptures.
Get advice from home and garden professionals
Aside from landscape experts, show-goers will be able to meet one-on-one with more than 350 professionals specializing in everything from renovations, heating, cooling and plumbing to foundation repair, interior design, roofing and window installation.
Ideas in energy efficient upgrades will also be available at the “Sustainable Solutions: Practical Applications for Your Home Garden” exhibit by Breckenridge Landscape. Teaching homeowners that sustainability can be both aesthetically and financially pleasing, some of the featured applications will include gabion walls, green roofs and permeable pavers.
Brush up on skills with free demonstrations and workshops
Throughout the show, chef demonstrations, solution seminars and workshops by area experts will offer attendees invaluable trade secrets. Stein Gardens Gifts will sponsor hands-on clinics with Sue Wilke of Karthauser Sons at 2 p.m. March 22, Angela Pipito of Stein Gardens Gifts at 2 p.m. March 23 and Nicholas Staddon of Monrovia at 2 p.m. on March 29 and 30. Topics will range from miniature gardening and creating the perfect bird habitat to incorporating underutilized shrubs and perennials into a landscape.
In addition, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Cooking Patio will feature city chefs and Milwaukee’s foodie, Kyle Cherek, co-presenting many of the demonstrations.
When to go
The 90th REALTORS® Home Garden Show presented by Unilock will be at State Fair Park March 21 through March 30 (closed March 24 and 25). Show hours are Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Wednesday and Thursday 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets are $8 for adults, free for children 12 and younger, and free for active military with ID. To learn more, go to www.mkehgs.com or call (414)778-4929.
Speak Your Mind