New varieties of tulips will be featured this year at the annual Spring Flower Show at the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens, 2655 South Park Avenue, Buffalo.
The show will run from Saturday, March 24 though Sunday, April 15. Admission is $9 for adults, $8 for seniors (55+) & students (13+), $5 for children ages 3-12, and free for Botanical Garden members and children under 3.
There will be about 35 varieties of tulips exhibited, and 30 of them will be new this year, said Doug O’Reilly, head gardener at the Botanical Gardens.
“You’re going to see a whole new color scheme,” he said.
About 20 varieties of daffodils and narcissus will be shown, and almost all of those will be new as well. There will also be Asiatic and oriental lilies, which the Botanical Gardens has never shown in the past.
The show will be kicked off by Paradise Under Glass, a fund-rising party that encourages guests to wear Hawaiian shirts, skirts and bright colors to celebrate the Botanical Gardens’ tropical environment after dark. The party will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, March 23, at the Botanical Gardens.
Tickets include a great basket raffle and delicious tidbits and drinks that will be provided by Dundee Ale & Lager, Seagram’s Escapes Coolers, Curly’s, Oliver’s, TEMPO, Lucarelli’s, Quaker Bonnet, Ilio DiPaolo’s, Obviously Avi Catering and more.
Tickets for Paradise Under Glass are $25 for Botanical Garden members and $28 for non-members. Tickets will be $30 after March 18. Purchase tickets online or by calling 716.827.1584 ext 204.
Paradise Under Glass is made possible by the generous support of M&T Bank, Buffalo Spree Magazine, Star 102.5 and Backyard Party Supply.
Other events in the Spring Flower Show include:
Dress Your Easter Best Contest April 6-8. The contest will celebrate Easter tradition and the Botanical Garden’s Victorian history. Visitors are encouraged to wear their Easter best, Easter bonnets and Easter ties. During the weekend, volunteers will choose winners to receive prizes. Free with admission.
Farmer Brown’s Petting Zoo. Farmer Brown’s Petting Zoo is a fun and educational animal exhibit that includes baby chicks, lambs, rabbits, goats and many more animals. The Petting Zoo will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily during the Spring Flower Show. Free with admission.
Easter Bunny. The Easter Bunny will visit the Gardens 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, March 24, 25, 31 and April 1, and on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, April 6, 7 and 8. Visits with the Easter Bunny are free and guests are welcome to take photos with their own cameras.
Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 7. The hunt will start at 11 am for children 6 and under. Each hunter will collect two eggs to exchange for fun prizes provided by Wendy’s Old Fashioned Hamburgers, the Buffalo Zoo, Neglia Ballet, the Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society, Explore and More, Theatre of Youth, the Botanical Gardens and more! Pre-registration is required because the hunt sells out quickly. Registration is $6 for Garden member’s children/grandchildren, $8 for non-member’s children/grandchildren and $10 for everyone after March 25. Register early online or by calling (716) 827-1584, ext. 204.
All photos from Netherlands Bulb Company.