Pittsburgh might be shivering under a thin layer of snow, but in Cleveland it's spring -- for the next nine days, anyway.

The 64th annual National City Home & Garden Show kicks off today in the city's I-X Center, near the airport, and brings with it some 20 acres of professionally designed and landscaped gardens. One of the country's largest shows, it also includes three full-sized model homes, live entertainment, and cooking and home improvement demonstrations.

This year's dual theme celebrates Ireland and environmentally friendly "green" building. Along with a 1,500-square-foot Irish village designed to showcase the country's heritage and popular culture, visitors can tour a two-story, 2,339-square-foot Irish castle, complete with stone walls, turret and a drawbridge. Other show houses include a 2,400-square-foot Cape Cod with a covered front porch and stone fireplace, and a wheel chair-accessible, 2,106-square-foot ranch-style house.

The closing-night tradition continues with a plant sale from 7 to 8 p.m. Feb. 11. Visitors can buy flowers, hardscapes and garden accessories directly from the landscapers for use in their spring gardening projects.

The show runs from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays.

Tickets are $13 for adults, $4 for children ages 6-12, and 5 and under free. Information: www.homeandflower.com or 1-800-600-0307.