Chelsea Flowers by naughton321
It is that time of year again when Gardeners need to have their gardening spirits lifted by seeing flowers in bloom. This is the time for Flower Shows. TheGardenLady column wants to share some good links to locate flower shows near you or places you may want to travel for Flower Shows. The joy of seeing any flowers in bloom at this time of the year is great, but which do connoisseurs claim are the top 4 in the world?
Philadelphia Flower Show by kightp
Philadelphia International Flower Show – This is billed as the oldest flower show in the US as well as the nation’s largest indoor flower show. TheGardenLady has been to this show numerous times and the warning is that crowds seem to be getting larger every year. The least crowded time to be there is around dinner time when many people start leaving. The 2011 theme for The Philadelphia Flower show is Springtime in Paris. How romantic is that?
Tickets can be purchased in advance at PNC banks and Acme. PNC has a contest to give some free tickets away. See here. Of course, if you are a member of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, you get free passes with membership. It is worth joining PHS for these tickets, their outstanding magazine and discounts at various stores.  See here.
Chelsea Flower Show – This extravagant show has flower displays that are absolutely world class. TheGardenLady has been to this show one time. One hasn’t seen crowds at a Flower Show until one attends this show. Unbelievable. TheGardenLady was advised to get there before the opening hour when the line is shortest and of course one is the first on the grounds. Good advice. Of course, if you are a member of the RHS, there is one day set aside just for members so that the crowds are not so horrendous.  You can join the Royal Horticultural Society to get discounted tickets if you know you will be going to the Chelsea Flower Show. You don’t have to live in Great Britain to be a member. Their magazine is outstanding, too.  See here.
Keukenhof Flower Exhibition – A show this GardenLady wants to visit. Keukenhof was closed when I visited Holland for the Floriade show that happens only once every ten years in the Netherlands. See here. These are gorgeous gardens to see.
Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show – Besides their high quality flower displays, one can experience the work of some of the best landscape artists in the world. See here.
Some other lists of flower shows:
The NJ Flower Show is in Feb. this year. See here. Once again PSE&G is giving free tickets. See here.
Chicago is one of TheGardenLady’s favorite flower city. A list of Chicago flowers shows is here.
Epcot has an International flower show beginning in March and going through May. See here.
Two more inclusive lists of flower shows across the US are here or here.
A longer list of Flower Shows in Great Britain can be found here.
If you are in Europe or will be traveling to Europe there is a list of flower shows across the continent here.
If you are in New Zealand in March there is the Ellerslie International flower show here.
There is the Hong Kong Flower Show. See here.
If you visit Slovenia in March, check out their flower show here.
Flower Trade Shows in Asia are listed on this site, but it is recommended that you contact the group before making arrangements to go. The shows may only be open to professionals. See here.
Readers, if you attend any of these shows, please share your photos with TheGardenLady readers. And if you can recommend some other garden shows that are your favorites, we would love to hear from you.