Garden show about to bloom
Get inspired with DIY workshops and expert advice
It doesn’t feel much like summer out there, but the Calgary Horticultural Society ’s annual weekend garden show will be planting ideas just the same.
Get inspired, learn some new tips and get ready for when the snow finally melts and you can break ground again.
Celebrating its 110th anniversary, the horticultural show April 14 and 15 at Spruce Meadows is a twoday celebration of gardening and healthy living. This show is designed exclusively for gardeners to help them grow successfully in this city’s challenging climate.
It’s hard to believe at the moment, but updated research collected from 1981 to 2010 moved Calgary up a notch in warmth so much of the city now lies in plant hardiness Zone 4A. Both U.S. and Canadian measuring methods show Western Canada’s weather has changed by more than a zone over a 50-year period ending in 2010.
A former map from 2001, which many longtime gardeners relied on, used data from 1961 to 1990, so everyone is adjusting to the new norm. That doesn’t mean, however, you should start planting magnolias or hibiscus.
Get the lowdown on what will grow successfully here with the show’s DIY workshops and educational talks. More than 100 exhibitors will help get you in the mood with floral and landscape displays, informative talks and a marketplace. It’s also a great place to start young ones on a lifetime of outdoor appreciation with free kids activities and hands-on projects for them to explore.
Some of the speakers include Ian Wilson and Jacinthe Lavoie, — Wildflowers of the Rockies (April 14, 9:30 a.m.); John Duncan — What’s hot and new for 2018 (April 14, 2 p.m.); Sonya Jakubec — Nurturing individual and community well-being in the garden; and Kath Smyth — How much space do you have? Exceptional plants and design solutions for time-pressed gardeners (April 15, 11 a.m.).
The show runs both days from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission for a horticultural society member is $12, while non-member entry is $15 online or $18 at the door. Children 12 years and under are free. Pre-purchase your tickets to save $3. Tickets are also sold at greengate Garden Centre at 14111 Macleod Trail S.E.
For more information, go to calhort.org.