HARTFORD, Conn., Dec. 15, 2008 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- One of the largest and most prestigious flower shows in all of New England, the "28th annual Connecticut Flower & Garden Show" will be held Thursday, February 19 through Sunday, February 22, 2009 at the Connecticut Convention Center on 100 Columbus Ave. in Hartford, Conn.
The colorful, fragrant show will cover almost three acres with the 2009 theme, "America, the Beautiful." Highlights include:
* Twenty-five (25) different gardens, created by professional landscape designers and non-profit organizations, filling 45,000 square-feet of the Exhibit Hall. Featured will be naturalistic, low maintenance and organic gardens. * The Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut Standard Flower Show featuring more than 12,000-square-feet of design and horticulture competition. This year's theme is "Of Thee I Sing!" * More than 80 hours of seminars by experienced horticulturists and experts on landscape design, construction and installation are all free with admission. Celebrity presenters include: HGTV's Roger Swain, the former host of PBS' "The Victory Garden" (Thursday); Gardening Author Sydney Eddison; Horticulturist and Author Tovah Martin; Professional Gardener Kerry Mendez of Perennially Yours; and former local TV personality Deborah Kent of Deborah Kent Designs in Glastonbury. * Floral and garden Arts & Crafts area. * Hundreds of displays and activities and aisles of fresh flowers, plants, garden ornaments, herbs, bulbs, seeds, fertilizers, soils, gardening books, patio furniture, ornaments and lawn equipment - most of which is available for purchase. People can bring 1/2 cup of soil to the UConn Co-op booth for free soil testing.
"28th Annual Connecticut Flower & Garden Show" at the Connecticut Convention Center at 100 Columbus Blvd. in Hartford, Conn. (Exit 29A off Interstate 91, take Columbus Blvd. Exit and Convention Center is on your right)
Hours: Thursday, February 19, 2009 - 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.;
Friday, February 20 - 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.;
Saturday, February 21 - 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and
Sunday, February 22 - 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sponsored by WFSB Channel 3, WRCH Light 100.5, Connecticut Magazine, Connecticut Home & Garden magazine; and People, Places and Plants magazine.
Admission: $14 Adults; Seniors $12 on Thursday/Friday only; $2 Children 7-14; Free for children age 6 and under -- Admission Payment Cash Only (Advanced tickets $2 off -- available at Woodland Gardens in Manchester, Conn. and the Garden Barn in Vernon, Conn. until Wednesday, February 18).
For information: North East Expos, Inc. at (860) 844-8461 or visit www.ctflowershow.com