Flower shows are in bloom

By Clara Bosonetto Maerz

For ajc.com

Celebrate Spring with a visit to some of the finest flower events and shows in the country.

Local Atlantans are preparing to attend the Annual Plant Fair and Sale at Callaway Gardens, March 25-28. Approximately 20 vendors from our area and surrounding states bring a wide variety of plants and unique garden items from orchids, bonsai, woody shrubs, natives, annuals, perennials, garden art and many unique and hard to find items.

The event is one of the largest fundraising events to support the Gardens and its educational and environmental programming.

Hours are as follows:

- Thursday, March 25: 3:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.

- Friday and Saturday, March 26, 27: 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.

- Sunday, March 28h: 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

There is no admission charged for the Plant Fair and Sale. Patrons must enter through the Beach Gate off of Hwy. 27.

Get to Callaway Gardens during the last weekend of March and the first three weekends in April for the famous Azalea Festival.

Callaway Gardens, in Pine Mountain, is 60 minutes southwest of Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. http://www.callawaygardens.com

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One of the premier flower and garden events along Florida's Gulf Coast is the 17th Annual Festival of Flowers in Mobile, Ala., March 25-28. Festival events will be held under the sky and under tent where over 300,000 square feet of exhibits enchant, entertain, and educate. http://www.festivalofflowers.com

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One of the most inspiring and elaborate flower shows on the planet is going on right now in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. This year, Epcot's annual International Flower & Garden Festival is themed "Celebrate the Great Outdoors" and runs through May 16. Watch for over 70 amazing Disney character topiaries on display and the thousands of flowers throughout the park make for perfect photo ops.

Unique this year is a Tuscan themed garden which represents sustainable gardening. The plantings were chosen to show gardeners which choices can withstand long periods with little water (a great tip for summer gardens across Atlanta). Find the Italian garden between the World Showcase's Morocco and France pavilions.

Stop at the France Pavilion to learn about the process of choosing flowers to make the Guerlain line of perfumes.

A highlight of the festival is the Flower Power live concert series held every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 5:15, 6:30 and 7:45 p.m. The event locale is the open-air America Gardens Theatre. The lineup includes:

- March 12-14 - Paul Revere & The Raiders

- March 19-21 - David Cassidy

- March 26-28 - Starship featuring Mickey Thomas

- April 2-4 - Tony Orlando

- April 9-11 - Herman's Hermits Starring Peter Noone

- April 16-18 - Ricky Nelson Remembered Featuring the Nelsons

- April 23-25 - Atlanta Rhythm Section

- April 30, May 1-2 - Fran Cosmo (Former lead singer of Boston)

- May 7-9 - Davy Jones, formerly of The Monkees

- May 14-16 - Chubby Checker & The Wildcats

The Festival and Flower Power Concerts are included in regular Epcot admission.

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/epcot/special-events/epcot-international-flower-and-garden-festival

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The Biltmore House in Ashville, N.C. will celebrate the 25th Annual Festival of Flowers, April 3-May 16. The estate-wide event celebrates the beauty of George Vanderbilt's 8,000-acre property and the 250-room French Renaissance chateau which exhibits the Vanderbilt family's original collection of furnishings, art and antiques. Biltmore's gardens are in their 120th year and are becoming more beautiful as time passes. For the first time, a cell phone audio tour of the gardens offering historical facts as well as more detailed information about plant varieties will also be available.

The 25th anniversary celebration of Festival of Flowers coincides with the grand opening of Antler Hill Village. This pedestrian-friendly venue will be open to guests as part of daily admission to Biltmore. The village green features live entertainment, dining, shopping and a new outdoor adventure center. Biltmore Winery, located in the village area, will also be celebrating its 25th anniversary and will be offering a newly-designed tour and tasting room. Antler Hill Village will be open to guests during Festival of Flowers and a grand opening celebration is planned for May 20–23.

Over 100,000 tulips will greet visitors at Biltmore's main entrance and continuing to the stunning colors in the Walled Garden. Don't miss the colors extravaganza in the 20-acre azalea garden and cascades of native and exotic blooms in the natural gardens and along walking trails.

Festivities across the estate will include live music, tips from Biltmore gardeners, innovative displays, wine tastings, seminars and children's activities. Take advantage of Biltmore's unique surroundings by taking part in the Explore Biltmore program. Outdoor activities include hiking, biking, rafting, kayaking, horseback riding, carriage rides, Segway tours and a sporting clays program.

http://www.biltmore.com

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If you're out and about across the country, check out these events:

- The Holland Tulip Time Festival celebrates Holland, Michigan's Dutch heritage with klompen dancing, crafts, parades, a Dutch market, fireworks and six million tulips. Held May 1-8. http://www.tuliptime.com

- On May 6-8, Pella Tulip Time celebrates the area's Dutch heritage with a half-million blooms in Pella, Iowa. The festival features parades (including Street Scrubbers, of course), Dutch food specialties, a Historical Village and lots more. http://www.pellatuliptime.com

- The Rochester Lilac Festival in Rochester, N.Y. features more than 500 varieties of lilacs and a parade, arts and crafts, international food court, live entertainment and wine tasting. Held May 14-23. Admission is free. http://www/lilacfestival.com

- Portland, Oregon pays homage to the city's flower - the rose - with the KeyBank Grand Floral Parade with all-floral floats, music, activities and many events. Held May 28-June 13. http://www.rosefestival.org