fantastic flowers

Southern Living, Feb 2005 by Vanhooser, Cassandra M

When flower shows begin popping up on the calendar, spring is sure to follow.

We have the perfect antidote for your craving for spring blooms, green grass, and budding trees: Plan a visit to one of the South's great flower shows.

The Maymont Flower & Garden Show at the Greater Richmond Convention Center ranks among my favorites. It's a garden lover's paradise with swaths of seasonal color, fabulous landscaping, and a great garden marketplace.

This year's show should be especially exciting. The theme, CineMagic, has inspired dozens of gardens based on movies, including interpretations of Under the Tuscan Sun, The Last Samurai, and The Butterfly Effect.

The show also provides high-quality horticultural education. In addition to an impressive list of speakers, visitors can get advice and ideas to use in their own gardens.

CASSANDRA M. VANHOOSER

16th Annual Maymont Flower & Garden Show: Greater Richmond Convention Center Exhibit Hall; (804) 358-7166 or www. maymont.org. Dates: February 24-27. Admission: $14 or $22 for two-day pass.

Special events across the region commemorate the arrival of the season in the South.

The Palm Beach Tropical Flower & Garden Show: Flagler Drive, West Palm Beach, Florida; (561) 655-5522 or www.palmbeachflower show.org. Dates: February 24-27. Admission: $11. Exhibitors create 8 acres of gardens in a park at the edge of the Intracoastal Waterway.

Southeastern Flower Show: Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta; (404) 351-1041 or www.flowershow. org. Dates: March 26. Admission: $18 or $28 for two-day pass. This show, the third largest of its kind in the nation, highlights "English Gardens for Southern Lifestyles" this year.

The Dallas Flower & Outdoor Living Show: Dallas Convention Center; (214) 977-2249 or www.be loexpo.com. Dates: March 18-20. Admission: $8. In addition to gardens, the show features competitors displaying their skills at backyard sports including croquet, badminton, and Volleyball.