Oh No! This makes me sad.

I can't believe this. How far has such a great Boston institution fallen. It is very sad! I've gone most years to the Boston show since 1992 and although it wasn't always the greatest show out there there was always something I enjoyed.

We've also been going to the Providence show and I encourage people to visit it. It isn't as big or elaborate but it is nice to get out and see some plants and gardens in winter. If people don't support it -- it may go the way of the Boston show. Or if people want a show on the scale of Boston, I've been twice to the Philly Flower show and it is fabulous. If you go to that one be prepared for crowds though!!!!

THIS IS A REAL TRAGEDY.WHY IS IT EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS IN THIS STATE ALWAYS COMES DOWN TO CORRUPTION AND MISMANAGEMENT. SO DISCOURAGING. INSTEAD OF A 9 DAY VENUE WHY CAN'T IT BE FOR A SHORTER PERIOD OF TIME LIKE 4 DAYS. I SUPPOSE THE VENDORS WOULD NOT BE HAPPY ABOUT THAT AND THE PREP TIME FOR SUCH A VENTURE IS ENORMOUS, I DO UNSERSTAND THAT. SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE. A TRADITION OF THAT STANDING TO JUST DISAPPEAR IS HARD TO BELIEVE.I DON'T THINKTHE PLAN ABOUT HAVING SOMETHING IN BOSTON HOTEL LOBBYS IS GOING TO WORK EITHER.

JUNE

You may think the cancellation of the Flower Show doesn't affect you but oh how wrong that is, whether you have attended yearly or not.

I'm not sure many New England gardeners realize just how big a tragedy this is. Since 1829, the Massachusetts Horticultural Society and its flower shows have been leaders in the introduction of new plants to gardeners here in New England and throughout the country.

New flowers, fruits, vegetables, trees and shrubs, and so many other kinds of plants--Mass Hort was cutting edge. And in fact it has continued to play that role, even to very recent years.

For instance, the New England Spring Flower Show was one of the first places many gardeners saw all the exciting new hostas being introduced, when they were just the domain of specialists. Allen Haskell included them in his exhibits at the show and wowed everyone. Now we can go anywhere to get some of these once-rare plants.

Mass Hort and its shows have also been fantastic in showing people what we could grow HERE, another of its invaluable contributions. The large group of experts--professional and amateur--who gave their time and knowledge to home gardeners at the show was a resource we won't see again. We have all lost a lot.

The Library was the best on the continent and one of the best in the world. There is still a good core of books, tho they are locked up for lack of money. A smaller, modern collection has been available at Elm Bank til recently.

I could go on and on but if you love your garden in New England, it's a time to mourn a great loss.

I find this very sad. I was not able to attend every year, but when I did attend, it was a true destination, a little oasis of spring in the drab days of March, as well as a source of anticipation and inspiration for the gardening season still several long cold spring months to come....

:-(

That is awfully sad; what a disappointment. I agree that the show played an important role, whether we attended regularly or not. For me it was just something to look forward to and helped me survive the winter.

This is another example of the times,in this day and age we have so many smooth talking shysteers just looking to take advantage of anyone or any worth while thing.

I am sort of surprised that there is not some uprising to save it! It would be quite a donation drive to raise that many millions though. I have never had a chance to visit the show.

I know. I keep waiting for something to happen, even if only a just more of an outcry over this.

Thought I would post a few alternatives are there any other garden shows that you would recommend?
" Philadelphia Flower Show Bella Italia"March 1-8
" The Rhode Island Spring Flower & Garden Show" February 19-22
" The Connecticut Flower & Garden Show America the Beautiful" February 19-22
" NJ Flower and Garden Show " February 12-15

I've been a lot to the RI Flower Show. I think we only missed one year. It is nice to visit Providence - the great Italian restaurants, etc. The traffic and driving is so much easier than Boston. Although the show is small what makes the RI Flower Show is the gardening talks/lectures/demos they have. So you need to do a little planning and see what talks you may be interested in. It makes the admission price seem so much more worth it if you go to a talk or two. I've even gone to talks on plants or gardening topics I think I have no interest in and it has opened my eyes to new things to try in gardening. So I can recommend the RI Flower Show!

Philly Flower Show I've gone to twice and both times we made a weekend trip out of the visit. We took Southwest Air (out of Manchester NH) down and back and it was so easy, cheap and fast to get to Philly. While in Philly, we saw all the historical sites and the last time we went to a special traveling King Tut show that was fabulous (treasures only seen going to Egypt). So you can make a weekend out of going to the Philly flower show. One problem the show is so popular that it is crowded so if you don't like crowds it may not be the best one.

I agree, RI is a fun, easy show. But why limit ourselves to the northeast USA? How about the RHS London Plant and Design Show, 17Â18 February 2009 (http://www.rhs.org.uk/WhatsOn/Events/).

I'm also thinking, again, of going to NE Grows - a big event for the "green industry" - I think a few forum members have been to that in the past. It's Feb 4-6, and there are some good speakers, including Rick Darke, Lynden Miller (she designs public gardens in NY), and Allan Armitage. I'll add the link to the schedule.

Here is a link that might be useful: NE Grows schedule

The only show comparable to New England, and near enough to consider attending, is Philadelphia. That is an excellent show but certainly not cheap or convenient to get to. I've been twice but can't go this March.

RI is too small and just not remotely in the same league. I went once but would not go back. Only worth it if you live nearby. Worcester had a tiny one but not very good at all. Maine had one with numerous problems--don't know if it's still on.

I hear good things about NE Grows but it is much more limited in scope than the New England Spring Flower Show. It's really a trade exhibition for people in the industry.

No, New England has had the perfect combination of plants and design and hardscape, and has been in our own backyard.

How about the RHS London Plant and Design Show, 17Â18 February 2009
Sounds wonderful. I did a quick search on Orbitz for flight availability and I didn't think the flights were too out of line but all of the airlines have really bumped up their surcharges. This is an example of a flight from Boston to London with one stop, $433 + $155 taxes & fees = $588 per person. Are they kidding?

> New England has had the perfect combination of plants and design and hardscape

And speakers. I always found 4 or 5 good garden writers at the show, and had a hard time picking one day out of the schedule since it meant I'd miss several good talks on the other days. RI doesn't really compare, at least at recent shows. There's something called (something like) a designers' forum, though, and I'm very curious about that. Might be a good idea to get photos together now for that event.

You all have every right to mourn. . .I grew up outside Boston - way back when there was a Horticultural Hall across the street from Symphony Hall ! - and that show was
one of the higlights of my young life. Later, while
attending Temple U. in Philadehphia, I discovered their
Flower Show. . .and it IS the giant that everyone tells you
it is. Now that I've been attending it almost regularly for
the past 40 years, I would agree with sedum37 that it is
probably wise to make it a two-day trip. . .although, the
friend with whom I've been attending the past several years and I, have devised a complex scheme for viewing the
entire show in just eleven hours (!), thanks to the perks
of being a Pennsylvania Horticulture Member, like a members
lounge with overstuffed armchairs where you can go to put your feet up every couple of hours and sip tea. . .

While it can be crowded, especiallly on weekends, mid-week days are far less so - and crowds do drop off precipitously
in mid-afternoon, and even more dramtically from 7:00pm-10:00pm. As this forum's "unofficial" Yankee-in-Exile, I'd
like to offer my assistance to any of you mourners who might like to venture South to the Phila. Flower Show this
season - either simply with info and/or tips, or even as an
ad hoc tour guide.

My condolences on your loss.

Carl

What a nice offer. I have stayed with family when I go to the Philly show but the city is well worth an extra day or so and the price of a hotel room. A lot to see and enjoy--and eat. If all goes well, which it is not supposed to, weather-wise--this time tomorrow I'll be having a Philly cheese steak right where they invented it.

Carl,
I wonder if our paths crossed in an earlier life as I first went to the Philadelphia Flower Show when I was a student at Temple (school of communications).
Ginny,
The real question is do you buy your steaks from Jim's or Pat's? I think the answer to this tells us more about you than what political party you are a member of.

Wow, the pressure.... Actually, we get our Philly cheese steaks at a place called Phil's in the suburbs. Near Ambler. It's a real bar food kind of place and full of locals. Reeking of smoke (the only drawback). It's the kick-off for Thanksgiving weekend for us. Bring on the cholesterol.

Back from the family feast, including the Philly cheese steak in Blue Bell PA.

As for the topic at hand--what to do without our New England Spring Flower Show. If you can make it to Philly and their show, great. Also think about Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square PA, not far from Philly.

Longwood is fabulous any time of year. We went Friday and the conservatory, which must cover several acres, was in full Christmas mode. The displays are beyond description in words. They change displays seasonally so you can go many times and always be amazed.

The outdoor gardens are something no gardener anywhere should miss. Even at this season, the structure of the various garden areas is quite beautiful and inspiring. And of course you get to see what trees and shrubs look good in the winter.

There are many other gardens in the Philadelphia area but for dead-of-winter inspiration, Longwood is without peer.

Here is a link that might be useful: Longwood Gardens

What is the CT show like?

I am guessing from the response that it must be small.

I go every year. It's nice enough if you aren't expecting it to compete with Philly. A nice 1-day antidote to winter.

Hotels in Philly book up early for the show, so it might take some planning.

Ginny, thanks for the Longwood report. I went to school in the area and used to spend a lot of time at Longwood. It wasn't until much later that I started to appreciate the Scott Arboretum, which was on the campus of my school. Now I wish I could do it all over again, because I'd pay A LOT more attention to that garden if I had the chance.

I just saw this. So sad! Past generations of my family were very involved with the establishment of Mass. Hort. Society and the Arnold Arboretum. It has always been a leader and the New England Spring Flower Show was not only a showpiece but a much needed harbinger of spring to those of us who braved the vagaries of NE winters. As a child I, with my parents, went every year (my father was a grad of Mass. Aggi. and we were in the trades) and I always marveled at the landscape exhibits, complete with trees and ponds and foot bridges. I would say it did a lot to foster my love/obsession with gardening. In those days, if I remember correctly, it was in the Hines War Memorial Auditorium. As an adult I haven't gone as often as I would have liked, responsibilities got in the way, but when I did it was such a pleasure to see that many garden club ladies I new were winners in the exhibits/competitions. Such an unfortunate loss for future generations and budding young gardeners! Sign of the times, I guess. Just when we need a sense of community,inspiration, and escape from evening news tonight the most.

The Mass Hort site says that they are conducting a fund raising campaign with the goal of bringing the flower show back in 2010. It will be interesting to see if they succeed.

If anyone finds out anything about the fund raising please update the members with the information. Even though I live in VA, I am very much interested in keeping the Flower Show in Boston active. I would donate and there are probably other folks who would be interested. thanks.

Thought this New York Times article about flower shows in a failing economy was interesting.

Here is a link that might be useful: Flower Shows

Very interesting--thanks for posting. It's more complex than the NYT described here but maybe the full story will appear someday...and maybe not. I'm still hoping for a happy ending.

So what do we think about a "for profit" organization putting on the flower show in 2010?

Here is a link that might be useful: New Boston Spring Flower Show

kt - that link is not working.

Thanks Deb!

Here is a link that might be useful: New Spring Flower Show

What New Model would you like to see for the flower show?

I like the Old Model and am not convinced it did not or would not work. Wasn't the MassHort financial collapse more a case of poor management (or outright larceny) than the flower show being a burden?

A show that's run like an auto show can't hope to be as good as the MassHort's show, and Paragon's role in last year's debacle is discouraging. So, I'm with Miskovsky - this is not a good thing.

I went to Philadelphia this year - it blew Boston's show away. And I liked that the vendors all were at least related to flowers and/or gardening - no fridge's and washing machines on display like Boston has had the past few years.

I know someone who's a vender who dropped out of the NE Flower Show about 5 years ago. They say it was financial shenanigans that killed the show. Mass Hort. made it very hard for vendors, it was very expensive for them and it just wasn't worth it any longer. They go to the Philly show every year and even with hiring a truck to transport everything, staying in hotels for almost 2 weeks considering the time it takes to set up, then break down a display, it was a better deal than NE ever was for them.

I've been going for years and the past few years it's been pathetic. I still always went just for that fix in March when you just can't stand it anymore and need to smell the dirt and the mulch, but the displays were no better than what you'd see at your local garden centers. The same old tired plants used over and over and over again.

I would like to see it return, but it needs some new blood in there to make it interesting again and get some focus on the plant variety. They jumped the shark the year they had the Disney displays. If I want to look at carnations dyed fake colors I can get them at the local florist. I want some HORTICULTURE from Mass. Horticulture!!

Lisa

I've been to the CT one several times and I really enjoy it. It's big enough for me, and whoever I drag with me even manages to have a good time.