HARTFORD, Conn., Dec. 21, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "31th annual Connecticut Flower & Garden Show" – one of the largest and most prestigious flower shows in New England -- is set for Thursday, February 23 through Sunday, February 26, 2012 at the Connecticut Convention Center on 100 Columbus Blvd. in Hartford. Hours are: Thursday, February 23 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday, February 24 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday, February 25 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Sunday, February 26 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The colorful, fragrant show covers almost three acres with the theme, "Traditions of Nature". Highlights are:
- More than 20 gardens fill 45,000 square feet, created by professional landscape designers and nonprofit organizations, and include naturalistic, low maintenance and organic gardens.
- Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut's 2012 Advanced Standard Flower Show: over 12,000 square feet of design and horticulture competition and more than 250 judged entries – theme: "The Fabulous Fifties!"
-- Seminars by experienced horticulturists and experts include:
- Nationally renowned gardening, lifestyle expert and best-selling author Mar Jennings – Four Seasons of Gardening;
- Landscape designer and radio personality Baroness Maureen Haseley-Jones a.k.a "The English Lady" - Healing Our Plant One Garden At a Time;
- Horticulturalist, author and photo stylist Tovah Martin – The New Terrarium;
- Floral designer Robert Buettner - Floral Arranging;
- Gardening editor, writer and photographer Steve Silk – The Crazy Mixed Up Border;
- Sal Gilbertie of Gilbertie's Herb Gardens – Herbs from the Ground Up;
- Garden writer, speaker and photographer Lorraine Bellato - Foolproof Hydrangeas and Designing with Shrubs;
- Horticultural lecturer and consultant Paul F. Split - Container Gardening and Cooking with Herbs demo;
- Garden designer, writer, teacher, lecturer and consultant Kerry Mendez - Tips for Gorgeous Sustainable Perennial Gardens; and
- Gardening author and columnist Tom Christopher – Sustainable Gardens: Saving You Money While Saving the Environment and The Artful Garden.
- 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 for purchase. Floral/garden Arts & Crafts area. Bring 1/2 cup of soil to the UConn Co-op booth for free soil testing.
- Admission: $16 Adults; $14 Seniors on Thursday/Friday only; $4 Children 6-14; Free Age 5 and under – Cash Only (Advance tickets $2 off –Jan. 1 through Feb. 21 at the following Conn. locations: The Garden Barn in Vernon; Garden Specialties in Mystic; Lawncare, Etc… in North Haven; Moscarillo's Garden Shoppe in West Hartford; Natureworks in Northford; Revay's Garden Center in Broad Brook; Stonehedge Garden Center in Newington; and Woodland Gardens in Manchester.
For more information, seminars, and driving directions, visit www.ctflowershow.com or call North East Expos, Inc. at (860) 844-8461.