Plants, products and expert advice: City Park Spring Garden Show is blooming with possibilities

The Spring Garden Show, which will take place Saturday and Sunday at the New Orleans Botanical Garden on Victory Avenue in City Park, offers something for everyone.  

Thousands of area gardeners and their families come to the show each year. Area nurseries, landscape architects, plant societies, horticultural service companies and government agencies have set up beautiful and educational exhibits, many elaborately landscaped with flowering plants, fountains, sculptures and garden accessories.

Exhibits are located throughout the Botanical Garden.

The Botanical Garden is a perfect location for the show. The beds are overflowing with colorful flowers, and plantings of old and modern garden roses are in glorious bloom.

Be sure also to check out the beautiful permanent exhibits that are both attractive and educational. Bring a camera and notebook to record interesting landscaping ideas, plant combinations or noteworthy plants.

Some of the gardens you should take the time to see include the Japanese Garden, PLANO Garden (food gardening), Conservatory, Butterfly Garden, Parterre Rose Garden, Shade Garden, Native Plant Garden, and Azalea and Camellia Garden. Also, plan to spend some time in the Conservatory of the Two Sisters.

In addition to the plant and garden sales and exhibits, the show includes a Children’s Discovery Tent, where kids are educated and entertained by friendly volunteers and a variety of fun hands-on projects. There are also educational programs, live music, food, arts and crafts, cooking demonstrations and more.  

Educational programs take place both days in the Garden Study Center and are free with entrance to the show. The lectures present locally appropriate gardening information.

Saturday

11 a.m.: “A Kitchen Herb Garden,” Heather Kirk-Ballard

Noon: “Small Fruits for the Homeowner,” Mary Helen Ferguson

1 p.m.: “Edible Flowers,” Anna Timmerman