Little Green Thumbs to Celebrate on the Greenest Day of the Year

The 2006 New England Spring

Flower Show blooms into the Bayside Expo Center in Boston on March 11-19. The theme of this year’s show is Welcome Home! Celebrating Our Great New England Landscape.

But the big attraction for families is the Children’s Festival on Friday, March 17 from 4:30 to 8 p.m. This very special night will include one-night-only animal visitors, hands-on crafts and gardening activities, live music and storytelling for the littlest green thumbs.

Besides the Children’s Festival, families and children may also enjoy the following exhibits during the annual flower show:  Railroad Gardens designed by Jared Sell, a 17-year old exhibitor. It was designed by Jared and will be run in conjunction with a train enthusiasts club. The exhibit features model trains running through a creatively landscaped 160 square foot exhibit.  Wellesley Garden Study Group’s Wizard of Oz themed garden  A mermaid topiary designed by the Newport Flower Show  A lighthouse in Bartlett Tree Expert’s seascape garden exhibit  “Ornamental fowl” or live birds incorporated into exhibits.

There are daily lectures, demonstrations, a garden marketplace, and unique show events throughout the nine-day show. Show hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on March 11 & 18. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on March 12 & 19 and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. March 13-17.

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online at www.masshort.org or at select Borders and garden centers. Adult $20, military & seniors (65+) $17, and children’s (4-12 years) $10. Proceeds from the flower show support the Massachusetts Horticultural Society’s educational programming.

Susan Scully Petroni