by Connie Oswald Stofko
Here are some updates from 2016 Plantasia, Western New York’s premier garden and landscape show. It’s organized by PLANT WNY, a not-for-profit corporation of green industry professionals.
Mark your calendar for Plantasia 2017: Thursday -Sunday, March 23 – 26 with Preview Night on Wednesday, March 22 at the Fairgrounds Event Center and Artisan Hall in Hamburg.
$16,000 backyard makeover
The first thing gardeners probably want to know is whether anyone won the $16,000 backyard makeover. Nope, no one guessed the six-digit secret code to unlock the vault to win that amazing prize. It certainly gave gardeners something to dream about.
Two huge trees get permanent home
One of the favorite features of Plantasia is the gardens that the landscapers build right inside the event center. Even if it’s snowing outside during Plantasia, visitors can enjoy landscaped areas and the scent of spring flowers.
Did you notice the two huge trees that were in the common area near the center of the building? Those Norway spruces nearly reached the ceiling.
After Plantasia, those two trees were planted on the grounds of the Fairgrounds. Overseeing the process were PLANT WNY members Bill Domes of Domes Tree Farms, Ed Dore of Dore Landscape Associates and Chris Zeisz of Russell’s Tree & Shrub Farm. (Yes, you can plant trees in March as long as you can dig a hole. See the Leaf a Legacy tree planting project done in the biting cold in 2013.)
Winners of the landscape judging
The theme this year was Plantasia Rocks! Rocks were used in creative ways and rock music was sometimes used to interpret the theme. Visitors were invited to vote on their favorite landscape at Plantasia, and judges chose the winners in other categories. The winners are:
People’s Choice Award: The English Gardener and Timberline Hardscapes
Overall Best of Show: A Growing Business, Inc.
Best Garden (Large): The Cutting Edge Complete Landscaping
Best Garden (Small): Chevalier Outdoor Living
Best use of Plant Material (Large Garden): The English Gardener and Timberline Hardscapes
Best use of Plant Material (Small Garden): Murray Brothers Nurseries, Inc.
Best use of Hardscapes (Large Garden): The English Gardener and Timberline Hardscapes
Best use of Hardscapes (Small Garden): Nature’s Design
Best use of Water (Large Garden): The Cutting Edge Complete Landscaping
Best use of Water (Small Garden): Menne Nursery Garden Artistry
Best use of Color: Menne Nursery Garden Artistry
Best Vendor Green: Gullo’s Garden Center
Best Vendor Equipment/Hardscapes: Heart of Franklinville and Concord Amish Village
Guest Director’s Choice Award: The English Gardener and Timberline Hardscapes
