"Again, the scent of mulch and blossoming flowers will give visitors an early taste of spring at the Stratford Garden Festival," said Deedee Herman, Lung Association area manager.
Taking place from March 4 through 7 at the Stratford Rotary Complex, there will be "blooming flowers, lots of colour, the creative use of lighting, props from the Stratford Festival and the imaginations of the landscape community," she said.
The displays will interpret the theme of 10 Blooming Years, "that will combine to create a unique and magical experience and make even the most casual gardener impatient for winter snow to disappear."
From its inception as an idea of how to raise funds for the Lung Association, it has become one of the premier indoor gardening events in the province.
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There will be nine display gardens that imaginatively convey the theme and provide visitors with "practical ideas to take home and implement in their own gardens."
This will include water features, effective outdoor lighting, use of form and colour.
A couple of the gardens will surprise visitors with a combination of "avant-garde artistry and unique vision," while the lobby garden "will delight with its use of colour and its fun take" on the anniversary.
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The Opening Garden Party on March 4 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. is the "ultimate sneak peek" with live jazz in the gardens to set the mood.
While strolling the gardens, visitors can sample wine from the Pelee Island Winery, beer from Stratford Brewing Co. or a vodka lemon martini from Diageo.
They'll also sample tasty treats of the Flavours of Perth prepared by local restaurants.
The live auction of garden goodies includes a wheelbarrow full of everything for an impromptu party on the spot.
Many of the auction lots feature the number 10 -- anything from gift certificates for ten perennials to 10 gardening books, Herman said.
A "Blue" package has a blue garden apron signed by members of the popular Canadian band Blue Rodeo, an autographed compact disc and seeds for blue plants in a blue planter.
The "Star" package features a garden apron autographed by Star Trek actor William Shatner along with plants and accessories.
A garden and theatre-themed getaway to Niagara-on-the-Lake will also be featured.
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On the afternoon of March 4 from noon to 5 p.m., seniors can enjoy the gardens at a time when it's less crowded and enjoy a free cup of tea and gourmet cookie.
Family Fun Night on March 5 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. is when parents can take in the gardens while children create a garden craft, enjoy story-telling and face painting, munch on refreshments and take part in a scavenger hunt.
Everyone from the gardening novice to the seasoned green thumb will learn something at the speaker's series.
Garden gurus dishing the "real dirt" include Frank Ferragine from Breakfast Television; Paul Zammit of the Toronto Botanical Garden; Kevin Kavanaugh of the Nature Conservancy of Canada; Sean Fox from the University of Guelph Arboretum; and Ontario Gardener's Shauna Dobbie.
Topics include garden design, growing vegetables organically, native plants and habitat creation, plants for scent and "Everything Old is New Again."
There's also the popular Marketplace "bursting with items to tempt the garden enthusiast."
It has the latest in plants and seeds, hand-crafted pottery, accessories, solar lighting, tools and furniture.
Presented by the Lung Association and sponsored by Orr Insurance, the past festivals have raised more than $1 million to fight respiratory disease.
IF YOU GO
The Stratford Garden Festival is at the Stratford Rotary Complex (353 McCarthy Rd.).
Hours: March 4, noon to 5 p.m.; March 5, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; March 6, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and March 7, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tickets: $8 at the door; no charge for children 12 and younger. Opening Garden Party tickets are $30. Parking is free.
For more information: (519) 271-7500 or www.stratfordgardenfestival.com or e-mail: dherman@on.lung.ca; .
Jim Fox can be reached at onetanktrips@hotmail.com
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