I LOVE attending garden shows !

The creative garden design, the craftsmanship, the horticulture, the plant shopping, the garden club exhibits showcasing beautiful new plant introductions and the chance to inhale the intoxicating smell of spring after a long chilly winter season.

This year the San Francisco Garden show is pairing food growing, food preparation and wine with the show. - Yeah, pour me another glass of that Pinot ... locally grown of course !
I think it is a pretty good idea incorporating veggie growing considering the impact veggie gardens have had on peoples lives , especially in these recent hard economic times.
And no one ever said a vegetable garden doesn't have to be void of style and panache.
As an example have you ever seen Rosemary Verey's potager garden ? - Swoon !
Cabbage never looked so good.

I have a few practical tips to share when going Garden Show Gawking.
Where comfy shoes - You'll be walking a lot and the surface may be hard concrete.
Bring a small note pad - There may be something worth writing down.
Sling a camera over your shoulder - for those Kodak horticultural moments.
Carry a modest size sturdy tote bag for a potential purchases and the hand out literature.
Pack a lunch if you're on a budget. - that means more money for that glass of Pinot or that hot new perennial aching to go home with you.

Do you have anything to add in order to get the most out of the day or a favorite show experience ?

By the way, The Pacific Orchid Exposition in San Francisco opens today and goes through the weekend.
It's Orchid Orgasmic. ... and some pretty nice looking bromeliads too.

Now if I could only find my shoes to Wear.

I think an iPhone is a must. Not only do you need to take pictures, but then you need to text them to friends, post them on Facebook and pintrest. Its also handy if there is by chance something you need to google.

My favorite part is how my and my friends plants. orchids etc are far better than those that win best in show from the Boston garden club! Oh, and the wine.

Speaking of shoes, I strongly recommend closed toe shoes when attending the Chelsea Flower Show. I've never seen such vicious little old ladies weilding their canes.

In Amsterdam , at the Floriade Show , held once every 10 years, I wore my high top hiking boots and shorts. I must of been stoned. It was so friggin hot that day and I got the worst looking sun burn that stopped at my mid calf. I had to walk around the rest of Europe with that stupid neopolitan colored leg look.

For all those 'modern' people; definately an iphone. - good tip !

1. Dress appropriately. Despite the fact that this is almost impossible at least make the effort. You will need: wellington boots and a raincoat and headgear to protect you from the rain and the pointy bits of other peoples umbrellas. You will also need a complete change of clothing for when it stops raining and or when you venture into one of the many sweat lodges where the flowers are. You will need to carry water to replace the sweat and an electrolyte replacement product now that salt tablets are passe. You may also need a waterproof covering for your iphone thingy.

2. You will need to bring a packed lunch (preferably cucumber sandwiches with the crust off and cut into quarters)to avoid paying silly money for silly food.

I may write more later but I am quite exhausted just thinking about it.

I've been going for the past few years, and there's a been a very noticeable decline in the number and scale of show gardens. Yes, there are still some of the bigger names holding on. However, the number of mid-sized firms doing smaller intimate garden displays has gone down drastically. I'm guessing that in this day and age, there are for more effective ways of finding new customers.

It seems like the balance has been made up exhibitors selling merchandise - items that can actually return a profit immediately, rather than design firms marketing to future prospective clients.

There also seems to be an increase in non-profit organizations and municipal governments (and their respective agencies) getting involved. Perhaps that may be the future of Canada Blooms?

I'm not sure if anyone else has noticed such a shift, but I'd be interested to hear others' comments and perceptions.

- Audric