In the News - February 2008
Gardening is Healthy theme for 17th annual Arkansas Flower and Garden Show
LITTLE ROCK - Groundhog Day tradition may have predicted another six weeks of
wintry weather, but spring will come early to Arkansas this year. The 17th
annual Arkansas Flower and Garden Show will be blooming with great ideas for the
2008 garden.
"Gardening is Healthy" is the theme for this year's show, which will be in
full bloom February 22-24 at the Statehouse Convention Center in downtown Little
Rock.
Whether you're a green thumb, or all thumbs in the garden, the show is
guaranteed to inspire. It will feature 10 display gardens and hundreds of
vendors with everything you need for a beautiful and colorful garden.
"To play up this year's theme, some of the display gardens are partnering
will health-oriented organizations to spread the message that ‘gardening is
healthy,'
said Merilyn Tilley, 2008 show chairman."
Partnerships include River Valley Horticultural Products and the Arkansas
Chapter of the American Heart Association, as well as Good Earth Garden Center
and Arkansas Children's Hospital."
Get great ideas for your home garden from locally and nationally known
speakers. Kathy Wagenknecht and Amy Ness with White Wagon Farm in North Little
Rock will help gardeners grow roses and flame-proof the landscape. Sabrina
Childs with Ball Seed Company will teach attendees how to make Elle Pots. Jimmy
Turner with the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden will show to incorporate
beauty in the garden with environmental responsibility, and how to work water
features into garden design.
In addition to the great lineup of speakers, be sure to visit the Advanced
Standard Flower Show presented by the Arkansas Federation of Garden Clubs, Inc.
"Travel Unlimited" is the theme for the 2008 show. Floral designs in 18 classes
result in 72 different floral designs by members of the federation. Be sure to
find out who takes home the blue ribbon for their entries.
Take your kids to "The Big Backyard," a family learning center. Dr. Donald
Steinkraus, entomology professor with the University of Arkansas, will bring
samples from his Arthropod Museum Insect Festival. His annual festival provides an opportunity to
experience living and preserved insects. Steinkraus will also speak Saturday
afternoon about creating an insect-friendly garden.
Finally, visit the professional florist competition and see if your favorite
tablescape takes home the top prize. The Arkansas Florist Association sponsors
the annual competition that consists of tabletop floral designs using the
Arkansas Flower and Garden Show theme.
"The Flower and Garden Show is a great way to help people explore how gardens
stroke the creative side of nature and enhance the quality of life in our
communities," Tilley said.
Attendees can park at War Memorial Park in Little Rock and Dickey-Stephens
Park in North Little Rock and a ride a free shuttle to and from the show.
Students from Little Rock Christian Academy will offer a courier service to help
load purchases into cars.
Tickets for the show are $7.50 for adults; $5 for senior citizens; $1 for
children 6 to 12. The show runs Feb. 22 and 23 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Feb.
24 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For more details, visit
http://arflowerandgardenshow.org, or call
501-821-4000.
February 8, 2008
Media Contact: Elizabeth Fortune
Extension Communications Specialists
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2120
efortune@uaex.edu
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