There might have been a time when Cleveland was the Mistake by the Lake, but no more. The place is light years ahead of Pittsburgh, especially when it comes to the gardening world.
This past week, I visited the Cleveland National Home & Garden Show, held annually at the I-X Center, which is a short jaunt off exit 10 of the Ohio Turnpike, about a two-hour ride from Pittsburgh.
This show, unlike its Pittsburgh relative, gives more than lip-service to the world of gardening. Each year, the show hosts a number of competition gardens designed and executed by Ohio landscaping companies. According to Patty Andrie, horticultural manager for the show, there is a waiting list for the by-invitation slots, which can number up to 23. And while each landscape company does get a small stipend for participating, Andrie says all of them spend way over the amount they are given. Most make up the deficit by lining up a high percentage of next season's work.
This year, 20 gardens are in the competition. All followed the theme "Glorious Greece," including lots of faux ruins, classical statues and moss-chinked stone walls. Gardens come in three sizes, says Andrie: small, which is 550 to 625 square feet; medium, 700 to 800 square feet; and large, 900 to 1,200 square feet. Winners of the previous season's competition get first choice of size, and after that it's a lottery system that determines who gets what.
While this show isn't Philadelphia, which is completely devoted to horticulture, it is a nice diversion on a miserable February day. But make no mistake, this is also a home show, replete with knife hucksters, hot tubs and replacement windows.
While the competition gardens are fairly sophisticated, they are interesting on a purer level than Philadelphia. The plants are simpler things like daffodils, tulips and hydrangeas. But you will also see a fair amount of perennials that have been forced, along with trees and shrubbery. And the large pines, which are used for the backdrop, are cut material, culled from Cleveland parks.
There is also a main theme garden that is not a competition garden. This year, it was designed and built by DTR Associates, a landscaping design firm that took a break from competition. This planting takes in more than 20,000 square feet and is the largest in the history of the show. David Thorn, president of DTR, introduces the Greek theme to visitors, with a show entrance area portraying a ruined Greek temple. All the plants used in the landscape are ones that grow in Greece, including hydrangeas, which Thorn said he was surprised to find are a popular plant in Greek gardens. Visitors are ushered from the temple ruins up a brick path past a replica of a Greek seaside village. Oleander, bougainvillea, heather, heuchera and yucca are all used to good effect, surrounded by a backdrop of mature pine trees.
A behind-the-scenes look at this construction is even more amazing. To get the desired effect, the landscape was raised more than 8 feet from floor level, utilizing tons of dirt and concrete block. And while Thorn was lucky to have about a week to construct this extravaganza, he'll have only a couple of days to tear it down and spit-polish the floor before the next event begins. It's something he is clearly not looking forward to.
The show also sets some space aside for a garden market, where visitors can buy plants, sprinklers, tools, pond supplies and interesting garden containers.
For those who have lots of disposable income, how about a bronze statue? Stelios Maragos, straight from Greece, was on hand with a selection of very pricey but interesting replica mosaics, marble sculptures, bronze statues, Byzantine icons and ceramic vases from various periods of Greek history. You can visit his Web site at www.amforeas.gr.
The Cleveland National Home & Garden Show runs through tomorrow. Hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. today and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $9.95 for general admission; $3.75 for children ages 6-12; children under 5 are free. Parking is $6. For more information, call 800-600-0307.
The Pittsburgh Civic Garden Center has changed its name. Officially, it is now The Pittsburgh Garden Place. The location is still the same, 1059 Shady Ave. in Mellon Park, and the phone number remains 412-441-4442.
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Garden is planning two "sweet" evening celebrations just in time for Valentine's Day. Today, and tomorrow, take your special someone to the historic glasshouse for a stroll through the flowers, accompanied by music. For the price of a regular admission, the conservatory is open 6 until 9 p.m. both evenings. Visitors can enjoy music by classical guitarist Noel Schwenk tonight; flutists Melissa Knight and Jennifer Hackett perform tomorrow. Desserts and coffee will be available in the cafe.
On Valentine's Day, stop by the Orchid Lover's Auction, beginning at 6 p.m. Bid on favorite orchids from Phipps' Orchid Exhibit 2000 in both live and silent auctions. There will be about 100 varieties to choose from.
For more information on either of these events, call Phipps at 412-622-6914 ext. 6801.
