New home for Flower Show

Despite the dip in temperatures this week, the Cincinnati Flower Show, opening next Saturday at its new location in Symmes Township Park, is a sure sign that spring is here. The 20th anniversary of the show will boast dazzling garden displays, floral arrangements, ideas for patios, landscaping and window boxes, and a market area with all things lawn-and-garden-related.

But the Cincinnati Horticultural Society hopes the show and its new 61-acre location will be more like a mini-vacation.

"It should be like after a good laugh, you just feel nourished," says Mary Margaret Rochford, president of the Horticultural Society.

The show, which has been held at Coney Island the past six years, will be laid out so that the attractions are integrated into the setting.

The show's fine-dining destination, Café des Artists, will be presented by Daveed's at 934 and will be set up like a Parisian café, with artwork from the show's Artist's Studio on a sidewalk around the space.

The Café des Opera, operated by catering company Elegant Fare, is designed to be an equally dazzling dining experience, nestled next to Cincinnati Opera-themed table settings created by local designers.

It's designed "so you can sit in this beautiful atmosphere and really feel you are away for the day," Rochford says.

Little ones can take a TV timeout for free activities during the Small Wonders Weekend, April 24-26. It includes favorites from last year, like Apple Pie School, and new activities like Salsa School and clay-creature making classes.
Show schedule

Fine Food Show 

April 18-19, during show hours: Sample gourmet sauces, baked goods, candies, chocolates, pastas and cheeses from local and national vendors. Free with admission.

Small Wonders Weekend

April 24-26 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: Cookie Decorating with Busken Bakery

1-3 p.m.: Apple Pie School

4-5 p.m.: Mini-Flower Arranging

During show hours: Create a "bagel bird ornament," "grass man," a themed garden, vegetable salsa or a craft made from recycled materials. Free with admission.

Ladies Day

April 22 9 a.m.-2 p.m.: Continental breakfast and guided tour of exhibits, visit from author and artistic gardener Helen Dillon, box lunch with "Secrets of the Flower Show" presentation from Cincinnati Horticultural Society president Mary Margaret Rochford, afternoon tea and desserts and a "Color Forecast for the Home and Garden" from Macy's Interior Design Studio. $75 per person; includes admission to Flower Show. Reservations required; at www.cincyflowershow.com.

Afternoon teas 

Each event includes scones and jams, tea sandwiches, desserts and tea, and admission to Flower Show. Reservations required; at www.cincyflowershow.com.

April 20, 1:30 p.m.: History and traditions of the Longaberger Company. At the Café De l'Opera. $40.

April 26, 2:30 p.m.: Daughter/mother tea, including a fashion show and hairstyling from Matt Bradley Salon. At the Garden Club Café. $40 for adults; $25 for children 12 and under.

Distinguished lecture series 

The cost for each lecture includes lunch and admission to the Flower Show. Reservations required; at www.cincyflowershow.com.

April 18, 11 a.m.: Ed Libby, an event designer and owner of New York-based Ed Libby & Co., specializes in elaborate floral displays for celebrity clients. At the Garden Club Café. $50; includes lunch.

April 19, 3 p.m.: Chef Edwin French of the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, N.C. At the Garden Club Café. $30.

April 21, 1:30 p.m. tea, followed by 2 p.m. lecture and book-signing: Melinda Myers, a certified arborist and horticulture instructor, author and host of "Great Lakes Gardener" on PBS. At the Flower Show Pavilion. $45; includes tea.

April 22, 3:30 p.m.: Helen Dillon, an author and artistic gardener from Dublin, Ireland, has extensive experience gardening in small urban spaces. At the Garden Club Café. $35.

April 24, 6 p.m.: Food and wine pairings from Andrea Robinson, Macy's Culinary Council chef and master sommelier, and David Cook, executive chef and owner of Daveed's at 934. At the Café des Artists. $75.

Flowers After Hours lecture series 

Free with admission. All lectures begin at 6 p.m.

April 20: Libby Langdon, leading designer on HGTV's "Small Space, Big Style," discusses and signs her book "Small Space Solutions."

April 21: Amy Stewart discusses and signs her book, "Wicked Plants - A Book of Botanical Atrocities," which describes over 200 plants with destructive abilities.

April 22: Andrea Kay, nationally syndicated career columnist and local career counselor and author .

Relax and Learn lecture series

Free with admission.

April 18, 1 p.m.: Dr. John Pottschmidt, winner of the 2006 All-American Rose Selection Award.

April 19, 1:30 p.m.: Jan Doherty, author, "Tending Your Garden Can Tend to Your Soul."

April 20, 1:30 p.m.: Rita Heikenfeld, Macy's culinary specialist, "Eating from the Garden of Eden - The Best Culinary Herbs and Foods."

April 21, 1:30 p.m.: Denny McKeown, owner of Bloomin Garden Center, "New Plant Varieties for 2009."

April 22, 1:30 p.m.: Marvin Duren, owner of Marvin's Organic Gardens and Nursery, "Organic Alternatives"

April 23, 1:30 p.m.: Tom Smith, of Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum, "Dazzle Your Landscape with Spectacular Plants."

April 24, 1:30 p.m.: Ron Wilson with Natorp's, "Container Gardening."

April 25, 1:30 p.m.: Steve Foltz of the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, "Plants that Really Work in Greater Cincinnati."

April 26, 1:30 p.m.: Mary Margaret Rochford, president and director of shows at the Cincinnati Horticultural Society, "Secrets of the Cincinnati Flower Show."