Update February 20. I’ve just found out that I’m not going to be able to make it to the Northwest Flower and Garden Show because I’m 32 weeks pregnant and can’t get insurance coverage. (I can’t risk going to the States without it, especially in my “condition.”) Thankfully, Caitlin and Owen of Vancouver-based garden design team Aloe Designs are going to cover the event for Heavy Petal. Thanks guys! I’ve also added another event closer to home – the BC Home and Garden Show (thanks for the reminder, Ren!)
Who knew late February was such a peak time for gardening events? If you live in the Vancouver area, there are three four worth checking out this week, from a big-ticket show to a small-but-enthusiastic celebration.
Northwest Flower and Garden Show 2008
The 20th annual Northwest Flower & Garden Show starts this coming Wednesday, and will take place February 20 – 24, 2008 at the Washington State Convention Center in downtown Seattle. The highlight of the show is always the gardens, which, come February, are a welcome – if artificial – taste of the season to come.
The cost of admission, which includes entrance to gardening seminars, is $19 for adults, $8 for students 25 and under with valid student I.D., $3 for ages 6 – 17 and free for children under 5. Show hours are from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
BC Home and Garden Show
This show focuses a little bit too much on the magic mop crowd for my taste, but since I can’t make it to Seattle, I’ll likely poke around the BC Home and Garden Show for an afternoon. There is a good list of speakers, and the display gardens look promising.
Wednesday, February 20 through Sunday, February 24 at BC Place Stadium, 777 Pacific Boulevard, Vancouver, BC.
Seedy Saturday
Seedy Saturdays are taking place all across BC this month. In Vancouver, visit Van Dusen Gardens‘ Floral Hall from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, February 23 for a celebration of heritage
varieties and organic gardening featuring more than 30 growers, seed
companies and exhibitors, plus a heritage seed swap.
Admission is by donation.
Seedy Saturday is also being held in other communities across BC, including Nanaimo, Cobble Hill and the Comox Valley. Check it out! Seedy Saturday is great place to find vegetable seeds for your entry into The Growing Challenge, or to stock up on seeds for your seedballs.
Hellebore Hurrah
Local nursery Phoenix Perennials holds its annual Hellebore Hurrah (“celebrating early spring and all things hellebore”) on February 22nd, 23rd and 24th, 2008 from 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. They’re carrying Heronswood Hellebores for one more year – better not miss out!
TopVeg says
Seedy Saturdays is a great name and a great idea!
TopVeg
Andrea Bellamy says
TopVeg – isn’t it? I believe these events are held all over the world – try googling “seedy saturday” and your region together – maybe you can attend your own this weekend!
kate says
Ah wishing that I lived in Vancouver … Seedy Saturdays would be amazing to attend. I’d love to attend the Hellebore Hurrah. That must be amazing.
Are you attending all three of these events?
Andrea Bellamy says
Come out for a visit, Kate! :)
I’m going to the Seattle show and Seedy Saturday. I don’t know that I’ll make it to the Hellebore Hurrah, though. It might just remind me that I have no space for another plant!
Ren says
And don’t forget BC’s spring Home & Garden Show this week too (same time as Northwest Flower & Garden Show)…. BC Place Stadium.
Make it 4!
aloe says
Hey Preggers,
That sucks you aren’t allowed down south, under insurance. Don’t they know pregnant gardeners need to get to the show too!
I will for sure get you the goods, flashes and nerdy notebooks and all. Would love to guest blog for you, although may have to get O to help. I have realized he has a nack for writing. Check out his latest comment to my recent blog post on nesting. His alias is world reclaimed- super funny.
Will report upon return.
cait
Dee/reddirtramblings says
Aww, I didn’t know you’re having a baby. Congrats. I’ve done it three times, and I was just thinking today that their births were the best times of my life. They are now 15, 13 and almost 9.~~Dee
Andrea Bellamy says
Thanks, Dee! Not too much time left now. I’m so excited!
thebench says
If you like Hellebores especially those with Green flowers – You have to see the Heronswood Nursery collection which includes Helleborus x hybridus ‘Phoenix’. Masses of olive green flowers with a burgundy margin bloom in early March.