By Mark Ambrogi
“Tall, Dark & Awesome!” is the theme of this year’s Indiana Flower & Patio Show.
The 58th annual show begins March 12 and runs through March 20 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds West Pavilion and Expo Hall, 1202 E. 38th St., Indianapolis.
“In the past we’ve had some single landscaped contractor gardens in the dark,” said HSI Shows executive director Donell Heberer Walton, who is working her 16th Flower & Patio show and 12th as director.
“This year we have an entire showcase garden aisle that has been darkened,” Walton said.
There will be more than 18,000 square feet of showcase gardens inside Expo Hall, which will be illuminated by landscape lighting, fire features and theatrical lighting.
“It helps people get a visual to wrap their mind around how that space is going to work for them,” Walton said.
Another new thing is hands-on floral design workshops. Each will be an hour long. There is an additional fee for the workshops.
“You get to make something and take it home with you,” Walton said. “We have all kinds of offerings for just about anybody.”
Materials, tools and American Institute of Floral Design knowledge will be provided for visitors to craft creations to take home, Walton said. The lineup includes Do It Yourself bridal, floral jewelry, terrarium, and branches to birds workshops, among many others. Floral design workshop costs range from $10 to $40. The Plant Market featuring ‘Blooms To Go!’ colorful fresh-cut flowers offered within the 4,500-square-foot market in the West Pavilion.
All proceeds from ‘Blooms To Go!’ and the Floral Design workshops benefit the North Central AIFD Scholarship & Education Fund.
Various garden and landscaping experts also will be at the show guiding workshop sessions in succulent gardening, herb containers, fairy and miniature gardening, among others. These workshops range in price from $10 to $35.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. March 14, 15, 16, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. March 12, 17, 18, 19 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 13 and 20.
General admission is $14. Children 12 and under are admitted free. For more, visit indianaflowerandpatioshow.com.
