Life’s a ‘Backyard Party’ at Va. Flower and Garden Expo
Every year my husband, who is not the least bit interested in plants, wracks his brain for an excuse to avoid attending the Virginia Flower and Garden Expo. Every year we end up going and, without fail, leave with armfuls of fresh cut flowers, houseplants and seeds. Hopefully, like me, you cleared your calendar in anticipation of the event. But if you didn’t and you’re reading this — it’s not too late to attend. Events continue through tomorrow at the Virginia Beach Convention Center.
This year the Virginia Horticulture Foundation has put together an all star cast of designers, vendors and presentations for a full-blown “Backyard Party.” I spoke with Stacie McGraw, Virginia Beach master gardener and landscape coordinator for the event, who shared what new talent and knowledge has been gathered for this weekend.
“The Expo is a great opportunity to gather ideas for your own backyard. With so many designs and experts in the same place, it’s easy to find those elements that fit your family’s lifestyle,” she said.
In addition to the congregation of industry professionals, the expo will have fun for the whole family with door prizes every hour, make-and-take workshops, games and crafts.
New to the Flower and Garden Expo this year is the meet and greet with Nature’s Nanny Wildlife Rehabilitation, who will have live owl exhibits each day. McGraw stressed the importance of exhibits like Nature’s Nanny, “to bring awareness to the wildlife in our backyard and the impact our gardening choices have on that wildlife.”
In the vein of backyard nature, McGraw also mentioned there will be the backyard chicken booth, chocked full of creative housing ideas and information for anyone interested in starting their own coop. The ever-inventive
Bea Hovey, a Norfolk master gardener, will man the booth alongside some fabulously fluffy Silkie chickens and chicks. I am hoping a visit with Hovey will help persuade my husband to finally fill my vacant chicken coop.
In observance of the
14th annual National Seed Swap Day, Norfolk Master Gardeners will lead a seed swap from 2:30 till 3:30 p.m. each day. There will be free seeds and information on how to start seeds indoors or how to direct sow into your garden — whichever your style. There also will be a plethora of seed vendors to peruse with a wide variety of seeds to purchase — and perhaps swap with your friends.
After 28 years of organizing the show, David
Wike, Virginia Horticulture Foundation chair, is still excited to promote the event.
“It is our job to re-introduce people to the basics of horticulture and all the wonderful things you get after you’ve mastered the basics. It’s a fun show where people get to see the best there is,” he said.
Wike alluded to the new layout and the bookstore, back by popular demand. He assured me I wouldn’t want to miss the ‘Planning a Party’ themed federated flower show held by the Tidewater District of Virginia’s Federation of Garden Clubs (included with admission) or the farmer’s markets that will be on-site selling fresh, local produce.
The Virginia Horticulture Foundation was founded 30 years ago with the intention of providing professional-level horticulture education to industry workers, students and homeowners. Each year the volunteer organization is responsible for not only organizing the Flower and Garden Expo, but also Home Gardener Day (January), the Mid-Atlantic Horticultural Short Course (January) and the upcoming Bloom & Grow Symposium (July).
For more information about their education and outreach programs, please visit their website, vahort.org.
For this weekend’s events, check out the Virginia Flower and Garden Expo website for a digital coupon. If you plan to attend one of the make-and-take workshops, preregister online, McGraw suggests. The website has a complete list of vendors, speakers and the schedule of events so you can plan your visit appropriately.
In Full Bloom is a weekly feature from Allissa Bunner that focuses on sustainable gardening, environmental stewardship and related community news and initiatives. Bunner is a Norfolk resident who is passionate about plants — especially natives — and enjoys growing things from seed. She can be reached at allissa.x@gmail.com.