Get inspired by creative designs in flower show at Plantasia

by Connie Oswald Stofko

I’m always astounded by the creativity that I see at flower shows. Not only do the garden club members have to evoke the given theme, they have to do it while abiding by strict guidelines.

The results are consistently amazing.

You can be amazed when you visit the flower show that will be held at Plantasia by the Judges Council of Eighth District Federated Garden Clubs of New York State, the local group of garden clubs.

The theme this year will be “Rock & Roll in the Garden.”

Plantasia, Western New York’s premier garden and landscape show, kicks off with a preview night 5:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 30 at the Fairgrounds Event Center, 5820 South Park Ave., Hamburg. It will continue from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, March 31- April 2 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 3.

Tip: If you can, take the day off from work and go to Plantasia during the day on Thursday when it’s less crowded.

Tickets for Plantasia 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 Plantasia tickets online. For more information and group rates, call (716) 741-8047.

There is lots to see and do at Plantasia. Look at the full-sized gardens, meet with landscapers and other folks with gardening businesses, listen to helpful presentations, let the kids have fun in the Children’s Garden hosted by the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens and try to unlock a $16,000 garden makeover. All of that is included in the price of admission.

Here are some views of entries in last year’s flower show. The overall theme was “Every Garden Tells a Story.” Various picture books set the themes for the different classes in the show.

Pictured are just a few of the spectacular creations.