18th Annual Southeastern Flower Show presents “English Gardens for Southern Lifestyles” this spring

Brilliant colors, rich foliage and reathtaking floral displays will burst into full bloom at the 18th annual Southeastern Flower Show thsi week at the Georgia World Congress Center. The show is a benefit for the Atlanta Botanical Garden and is sponsored by Pike Family Nurseries.

With more than 40,000 garden enthusiasts from around the world expected to attend, the annual event is the premier gardening show and competition in the Southeast. Over the years, the show has established a reputation for having the highest judging standards in the nation that result in the best of the best garden and flower display entries.

This year’s event, themed “English Gardens for Southern Lifestyles,” will showcase the beauty of English garden design combined with the charm of Southern outdoors. Attendees will see every kind of garden, from formal, kitchen and walled to in-town and cottage, and each garden will be inspirational, educational and entertaining.

“Attendees will be awed by the beauty of British gardening,” said 2005 Southeastern Flower Show Chairman Andrea Strickland. “This show is more than just flowers - it’s everything you ever wanted to see, learn and enjoy about gardening all in one place.”

Highlights of this year’s show include extended evening hours and educational classes and workshops. The show is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday. During the late afternoon and evening hours, attendees can enjoy the captivating displays without the crowd, live music and cocktails. In addition, a key component of this year’s show is a larger number of educational opportunities for amateur and professional gardeners. Speakers and demonstrations will run throughout the day and be available for all ages. Experts will be on hand teaching topics covering floral arrangement design, gardening techniques, photography, cooking and more.

British horticulture expert and historian, Penelope Hobhouse, a garden writer, designer, historian and lecturer, will speak on Thursday, March 3. For 14 years she was in charge of the National Trust Gardens at Tintinhull House in Somerset along with her husband, Professor John Malins. Today she lives in Dorset and travels in Europe, Australia and the United States lecturing and designing gardens.

Back by popular demand, the Flower Show Tea Garden will provide visitors with the opportunity to relax and enjoy a delicious variety of petite sandwiches, crumpets, sweets and a fine selection of imported teas served in the English tradition. Tea garden seatings will be held daily, amidst the fully landscaped Show gardens. Due to limited availability, reservations are strongly recommended.

With the help of more than 2,000 volunteers, the Southeastern Flower Show is the largest flower show in the Southeast featuring more than 30 landscape and educational gardens, including 18 British gardens and over 2,000 judged entries. The show offers speakers, demonstrations and workshops in addition to a 100-booth marketplace and a bookstore filled with more gardening, floral design and landscaping books under one roof than any other book provider in the South.

The 18th annual Southeastern Flower Show is an independent, volunteer, non-profit organization that is dedicated to being the premier gardening and horticultural event in the Southeast and a major cultural event for Metropolitan Atlanta. The purpose of this juried show is to promote conservation and awareness of the natural environment through education, horticultural excellence, and artistic expression. Participation is open to all. The Southeastern Flower Show supports the mission and activities of the Atlanta Botanical Garden by increasing the public's awareness of the Garden, and encouraging Garden membership.

The Opening Night Party is Tuesday, March 1. Party attendees will be among the first to view the life-size garden displays, exotic plants and floral arrangements at the show’s exclusive, black tie party.

Tickets prices range from $5 to $18 and are available on-line at www.flowershow.org or by calling the show’s ticket hotline at 404.351.1041. Twilight ticket prices are $10 for adults Wednesday through Friday beginning at 4 p.m. Guests have access to more than 4,000 parking spaces at the Georgia World Congress Center by using Northside Drive or can use MARTA, using the Dome/GWCC/Philips Arena/CNN Center exit. For more information visit www.flowershow.org or call the show office at 404.351.1041.