Storybook theme at Plantasia appeals to kids, adults; see fairy gardens, kids’ activities

by Connie Oswald Stofko

“Every Garden Tells a Story” is the theme of Plantasia 2015, and you’ll see some creative interpretations in miniature gardens from Mischler’s Florist and Greenhouses.

Plantasia kicks off with a Preview Night from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 18. Tickets for Preview Night are $15 and can be purchased online or at the door. It will include  food tastings from local restaurants and a cash bar.

Plantasia continues from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, March 19-21 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 22. Tickets will be available at the door. Tickets are $9 for adults (save $1 with the coupon), $7 for senior citizens ages 60 and over (no other discounts apply) and free for children 12 and under. You can also buy tickets online.

 

Fairy gardens with a storybook theme

Whether you call them fairy gardens or miniature gardens, these Lilliputian landscapes appeal to adults and children alike, and they’re especially fun for grownups to enjoy with their kids.

Mischler’s has created a series of fairy gardens representing children’s stories and nursery rhymes. A child can move the resin figures around the garden to act out the story.

The Three Billy Goats Gruff  garden comes with a book and read-along CD. Other gardens come with the story printed on a card inserted into the garden.

You can buy the gardens at Mischler’s booth at Plantasia. If you prefer to pot up your own miniature garden, you can buy the plants and accessories for a DIY project at home.

Mischler’s has an even larger selection at their shop, 118 South Forest Rd. Williamsville.

Children’s Garden

Reading garden and fairytale books will be one of the ongoing activities kids can enjoy at the Children’s Garden, run this year by the Buffalo & Erie County Botanical Gardens.

Other activities that are ongoing from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day are:

• Forest scavenger hunt
• Play in the corn sandbox
• Explore the “Cabinet of Curiosities”
• Create & color pollinator finger puppets

Special events throughout the day at the Children’s Garden are:

• 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: Plant stakes & fairy crowns
• 12:30-3 p.m.: Magic wands & coffee filter flower
• 3-5:30 p.m.:  Flower pen & Cheerio bird feeder
• 5:30-7 p.m.: Toilet paper tube flowers & mung bean greenhouse planting

  

   

From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, folks from Aurora Waldorf School will be on hand for jump rope making, which was a popular activity last year. There is an additional charge for this activity.

The Frozen fairytale princesses visit Plantasia

You can meet Anna and Elsa as well as Olaf and Kristoff from the movie Frozen. Photos will be available at an additional charge. Hours are 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday, March 21 and  11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Sunday, March 22.

Other activities for adults

A new event, Craft Beer Night, will be held from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. Thursday, March 19. You can enjoy samplings from local breweries including McKenzie’s Ciders, Big Ditch, Flying Bison and Saranac. A craft beer sampling pass is an additional charge to the cost of admission. You must be 21 or older and have proper ID.

There is a huge list of speakers who will give presentations on a wide range of topics from Thursday through Sunday. I’ll be giving a talk called “Get Crafty in Your Garden,” where I’ll show you ideas for items you can make for your garden as well as from your garden. My talk will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 21. See the entire list of talks here. The talks are free.

There will also be nightly entertainment.

See the entire event schedule here.

Of course, you’ll be able to wander through thousands of square feet of beautiful gardens, water features, patios, flowers and accessories.

Shop with more than 160 vendors who will be offering plants, grills, outdoor furniture, lighting, garden décor and everything you need to create your own perfect outdoor living experience.

I’ll have a booth at Plantasia, so please stop by and say hello!