The 53rd Annual Indiana Flower and Patio Show

The 53^rd Annual Indiana Flower and Patio Show runs from March 12 to March 20, 2011, at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis. One of the longest running exhibitions of its kind in the country, this show provides attendees the opportunity to glean ideas, purchase yard and gardening supplies, or even contract with a professional landscaping company to turn your home into the envy of the neighborhood.

The show is held this year in the West Pavilion, a massive high ceiling building with 171,000 square feet of floor space. When you enter the Pavilion you are greeted with an amazing vista: Complete backyards have been constructed complete with paved walkways, up to four feet tall retaining walls, amazing plantings of flowers, shrubs, and ten feet tall trees.

The organizers have cleverly brought the flavor of local Indianapolis neighborhoods and surrounding towns into the design of these showcases of current landscape design. Tagged "Neighborhood Block Party", some of the neighborhoods highlighted were Irvington, Lockerbie, Broad Ripple, and Meridian-Kessler.

Many of the forty one full size displays featured pergola structures. A pergola is a structure either attached to a home or stand alone featuring open sides and open slats in lieu of a solid roof. Designed to provide shade for sitting or dining areas, the examples of these striking additions to any backyard were constructed primarily of natural finished wood. The distance between the slats may be varied to suit the degree of shade provided.

Water features were also highlighted in many of the landscape designs. Some were fountains, either from the surface of a pond or from the top of a traditional 'bird bath' style, or emerging from a tall vase style device. Several large waterfalls were also constructed, with the water cascading down a four to five feet tall faux rock face ending in ponds of various sizes.

In addition to the large displays, many vendors were set up selling any type of landscape supply you could imagine. Fence and yard decorations, statues, flowers, shrubs and trees all were available for sale. In addition, you can find pond and fountain kits, birdhouses, birdfeeders, devices to easily pick up walnuts from your yard, gardening gloves, and pink pig watering cans.

The Indiana Flower and Patio Show runs from March 12 - 20, 2011, at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, 1202 East 38th Street, Indianapolis. Tickets are $12, children 12 and under are free. Check the show ticket website for discounts and other special offers. Hours are Monday - Saturday 10am to 9pm, Sundays 10am - 5pm.

Source:
Personal visit to the show on March 12, 2011
53rd Annual Indiana Flower and Patio Show