When Tony Abruscato, director of the Chicago Flower & Garden Show and owner of Flower Show Productions, told Windy City Times that this year's show has something for everyone, he wasn't kidding.
Among the components of the event, which is at Navy Pier through March 17, are:
—The Artist Palette Garden, which features 1,000 blooming hyacinths;
—possibly the first-ever U.S. exhibition of Ecuadorian roses;
—a "Potting Parties" section;
—tablescapes that incorporate different style fantasies, including "Audrey Hepburn meets Alice in Wonderland";
—a kids' activity garden;
—aquascapes, complete with waterfalls;
—demonstrations with "garden gourmet" chefs such as the Hearty Boys and Phil Stefani's 437 Rush's Christian Fantoni, in addition to daily 11:30 a.m. seminars with Mariano's Fresh Market;
—"The Art of Floral" show garden, which mixes flowers with great artists such as Picasso and Dali in addition to pop-culture items including album covers; and
—the marketplace, which has vendors ranging from Dr. Earth to Water Marbles to the Chicago High School of Agricultural Sciences to Sleep Number (yes, Sleep Number).
See www.ChicagoFlower.com for more info.
Photos and text by Andrew Davis. More photos at the Addition Photospread link under the main image.
