Northwest Flower & Garden Show opens next week

The Northwest Flower & Garden Show opens next Wednesday – blending spectacular garden displays with a major focus on edible and sustainable gardening trends.

The five-day festival of spring runs Wednesday through Sunday (Feb. 22-26) at the Washington State Convention Center, 705 Pike St., Seattle.

“Taste of Spring” is the theme for 2017 as the show will celebrates culinary trends, organic and urban gardening, locally-produced artisan food products. The focus will be embraced in more than 20 blooming gardens, 110 free “how-to” seminars and the marketplace, including more than 35 vendors offering samples and sales of artisan food products in the new “Tasting Corner.”

Edible and sustainable gardening, including growing food in small spaces, is a big focus for seminars by top speakers, with more than three dozen presentations devoted to all aspects of growing and utilizing a bountiful harvest.

The conjunction with Starline Coaches, the show is introducing round-trip shuttle transportation services with pick-up locations in Shoreline, Kirkland, Issaquah and Federal Way to the Washington State Convention Center.

Tickets are $22 and can be purchased online through the show’s website. Reservations are required (at least 24 hours in advance).

Other major show attractions include Garden Wars, featuring local media competing for local charities; City Living, offering ideas for small space gardening and outdoor entertainment, plus new features: Container Wars, (gardening experts competing and creating “tiny” gardens on-the-clock) and the New Plant Patio, spotlighting top plants that have been introduced over the past year, and more.

For a complete list of events, features and the complete seminar schedule, visit gardenshow.com.

Hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

“Early Bird” tickets are available for purchase on the show’s website for $17 (adult), regularly $22 during the week of the show or at the door. Tickets are $5 for youth (ages 13-17), and children 12 and under are admitted free to the show. Discounted tickets are also offered for groups, and multi-day passes are available. Visit gardenshow.com for ticket purchases, additional ticket pricing and more information on the show.