HIGHLIGHTS OF THE FLOWER & GARDEN SHOW

NEW - A Season of Celebrities at the Show

Appearing at the Show this year are fascinating stars from TV and Radio. Ahmed Hassan from DIY Network’s “Yard Crashers”, “Turf War” and HGTV will be at the Show on Saturday, March 24.  Ahmad will share his landscaping expertise and candid humor on gardening made easy and gardening in small spaces. Joe Lamp’l, a Show favorite, and the star of the award winning PBS Show “Growing a Green World” will appear on Friday. His shows include PBS “Garden Smart” and DIY Network’s “Fresh from the Garden.” Check out our line-up of all our carefully chosen expert speakers here and plan your visit around them!

Chefs at the Show

We love to celebrate the California lifestyle which includes so much fresh, wonderful food.  Our celebrity Chef lineup this year includes Annie Somerville, Executive Chef of Greens Restaurant, the primo vegetarian restaurant in the Bay Area. Martin Yan, the dynamic and creative chef we all know from Yan Can Cook is appearing.  Watch and taste with Brandon Jew from Bar Agricole, Greg Dunmore from Nojo, James Ormsby, the Pastry Chef from Bluestem Brasserie, and Sam Mogannam from the Bi-Rite Market - and the dynamic team from the Bi-Rite Creamery - in San Francisco.  Many other well-known food masters from the Bay Area will be in attendance – check out our Chefs' lineup and the seminar schedule for dates and times.

Livermore Valley Wine Growers Association

Visit the new wine garden presented by the Livermore Valley Wine Growers Association representing wineries from this historic wine growing area in California. Taste wine and talk to the producers.

NEW - California Garden Clubs, Inc. Flower Show

CGCI is back with a huge standard flower show and competition – 14, 000 square feet of flower arrangements and displays.  Don’t forget – you can compete in this show – just fill out this entry form as soon as possible and your talents can be displayed at this fragrant Show within a Show.

NEW - Small Space Living

One of the hot topics in gardening this year is small space gardening.  People in condos with balconies, rental houses with tiny side yards, a small deck, or those who just want to start out small, will discover a wealth or resources and advice at the Show. Many of the seminar speakers, including Ahmed Hassan, will be speaking on the topic and there is a new display in Expo Hall to illustrate this exciting idea. Our exhibitors are contributing and some new designers have come into the Show to demonstrate their small-space design talents.

NEW - California Kids Growing Strong in Sproutopia

Sproutopia has been taken over by fun and learning! This year kids of all ages will benefit from the fascinating activities and displays for children put on by Kids Growing Strong, an organization which promotes strong bodies, strong minds and a healthy lifestyle through garden-based education.  Lots of fun stuff and some lovely seminars to keep those kids absorbed.

Edible Garden Display

There is a new Edible Garden display in Expo Hall, put on by Star Apple Edible Gardens with Sunset Magazine and several other contributors.  One of the Show highlights the display will include an herb garden tower, some small-space edible gardens, and will be packed with ideas. Check out the seminar program to attend some of the many seminars on edible gardens.  Speakers include Pam Peirce, the author of Golden Gate Gardening and Jessi Bloom, whose talk “What the Cluck” will teach us about chickens. There many wonderful seminars and demos on this topic.

Shop until you drop

250 vendors with products for the garden, including many innovative green products, art and clothing. Wear sensible shoes and bring a large shopping bag – there is a lot here to choose from!

NEW – APLD: Local Landscape Designers redesign the Show entrance

The Association of Professional Landscape Designers has stepped up to the plate to redesign our Show entrance.  Inspired by the Show theme “Gardens for a Green Earth” the display will feature a large globe encircled by sycamores, grasses, and native plants in modern planters carefully designed to stream viewers into the Show garden floor.  Don’t forget to stop and view this imaginative design and super plant selection put on by talented local designers.

Expanded Seminar program

70 seminars and 55 speakers on 4 stages.  Check out the seminar listing for new stars with great topics and some of the tested show favorites.  Experts on green gardening topics from pruning, edibles, ornamentals, grasses, and lots of design tips.