
Show Hours: Thursday, May 24 - Sunday, May 27: 10 am - 8 pm
Monday, May 28 (Memorial Day): 10 am - 5 pm |  |

Exhibits
Competitive and Noncompetitive Exhibits
Cleveland Botanical Garden Flower Show provides plant, flower and nature lovers from around the country the opportunity toshowcase their experiencewhile presenting the general public with an unparalleled opportunity to view amazing horticultural exhibits. Sometimes thought of as "a show within a show," these exhibits comprise a broad opportunity for visitors to enjoy horticultural excellence and diversity in addition to the Show's more than 30 gardens.
Exhibitors include members of garden clubs, plant societies, specialists and horticultural enthusiasts from around the country. The divisions of competitive exhibits include Horticulture, Flower Arranging, Botanical Jewelry and Youth. Each provides exhibitors with the opportunity to express themselves in a variety of horticulture-related media.

Horticulture Division
The Horticulture Division features the work of skilled gardeners from Northeast Ohio who have coaxed and cultivated their best and most colorful specimens. Visitors find succulents and orchids, cut specimens including peonies, rhododendrons and roses. Outdoor exhibits include container gardens, miniature rock gardens and landscape gardens, ferns, hanging baskets, herbs, ivy trained plants and pocket gardens. Factors such as cultural perfection, condition and grooming, distinction and correct labeling are considered.
Invitational Design Division
Professional designers interpret a theme using plant material, props, fabrics and containers of his or her choice.
Flower Arranging Division
Flower arrangement is demonstrated as a creative art form. Based on the competition's theme, exhibitors present their interpretations of various class titles. Entries are judged on design, conformance to class requirements, distinction, artistic concept and expression.
Photography Division
Presented in conjunction with Cleveland Botanical Garden Flower Show, the Photography Show, held from May 4 to June 10, 2007, is a sampling of the work of the area's finest nature photographers. With entries ranging from representational imagery of gardens and landscapes to flora and fauna to abstractions and digital breakthroughs, this show is held in the Garden's Guren Gallery.
Botanical Jewelry Division
Entries feature wearable-size jewelry designs created from dried plant material including flowers, foliage, seeds and twigs. Entries are judged on design, craftsmanship, originality, interpretation of theme, and distinction.
Youth Division
Horticulture and flower arrangements created by children in Kindergarten through grade 12 are on display throughout Hershey Children's Garden. A flower arranging class and two natural craft classes are also on display. Entries are judged on creativity, artistic and craft skills, design and correct plant names. Classes are subdivided by the age of the exhibitor and judged accordingly.
Bonsai
Bonsai is the art of shaping trees and shrubs. This living art form originated in China in A.D. 700 and was called penjing, which means "potted plants with landscapes." The Japanese's intention was to capture the feeling of a complete aged tree, with exposed roots and trunks with bark and foliage, but in a dwarfed size. The trees and shrubs are trained to grow individually or in groups in shallow pots. This exhibit, located in the Japanese Garden, is presented and created by members of the Cleveland Bonsai Club. Bonsai is not judged.
Ikebana
Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arranging that has been practiced for more than a thousand years, presents an awareness of nature and spiritual nourishment. There are many schools of Ikebana and, although their styles differ, all share the philosophy of living in harmony with nature, a love of flowers and plants, and the desire to arrange elements beautifully. In past shows, three of the major schools represented have been those of Ikenobo, Ohara and Sogetsu. The arrangements are presented by Ikebana International Chapter 20. Ikebana is not judged, but is exhibited for enjoyment and contemplation.
Invitational Landscape Division
These classes feature international and regional landscape design professionals who are esteemed for excellence in the design and installation of custom landscapes.
- Theme Gardens are designed as large, semi-permanent gardens emphasize superb craftsmanship, planting sophistication and exemplary garden designs.
- Show Gardens are large temporary gardens that integrate a primary design feature with sophisticated horticultural elements.
- Ohio Landscapers' Association Show Gardens are small pocket or courtyard gardens designed by OLA members and feature unique designs and planting elements.
Invitational Nonprofit Division
Regional nonprofit organizations are invited to design and install temporary gardens conveying each institution's respective mission and its relationship to horticultural concerns. The goal of each nonprofit garden is to increase the public's general awareness of horticulture within the context of a stylized garden design.
Awards
Awards ranging from first place to honorable mention are given in each competitive division. Special awards are given to entries in the competitive professional landscapes and education divisions. Exhibits are judged by qualified judges from Garden Club of America, National Garden Clubs Inc., plant societies and specialists from the horticulture community. The judges come from all over the country and volunteer their time and expertise.
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Daily Drop-In Activities in Hershey Children's Garden
Daily, June through October
Join us for daily activities for children in the Garden. Free with Garden admission.
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In the Guren Gallery: Variations: Still Life Paintings by James McNamara
Friday, June 12 through Sunday, August 2
The whimsical botanical art of James McNamara is on display at the Garden through August 2.
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Ask the Gardener
Saturdays, June 6 through August 29
Have a troubling plant question, or just want to schmooze about shrubs? Come to the Garden on Saturday afternoons this summer and "Ask the Gardener."
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T’ai Chi in the Garden Summer Series I
Saturdays, June 20, 27, and July 4, 11, 18 & 25; 8:15-9:45am
Enhance your well-being with T'ai Chi in the Garden this summer.
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Dog Days at the Garden
Sundays June 7 - September 27
The Garden is going to the dogs this summer -- and it'll be great!
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Botanical Arts: Summer Scenes
Tuesdays, June 16, 23, 30 and July 7, 14, 21 & 28; 10:00am-12:30pm
Enjoy summer blooms in the Garden and strengthen your art compositions.
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Summer Yoga in the Garden
Tuesdays, June 9-July 14, 2009; 5:45-7:00pm
Enjoy the serenity of Yoga in the Garden. All levels of fitness welcome.
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Cocktails in the Garden
Wednesday evenings, June 10 - September 2
Join us on Wednesday evenings all summer and and stroll the gardens while enjoying a different featured cocktail each week.
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Gourmets in the Garden 2009
Wednesdays June 10 - September 2, 2009
Summer cooking demonstrations featuring Cleveland's hottest chefs, every Wednesday evening on the Geis Terrace.
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Botanical Arts for Kids: Arts in the Garden
Thursdays, July 9, 16, 23 & 30, 2009; 10:30-11:30am
A NEW series in Hershey Children’s Garden with The Beck Center for the Arts.
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Botanical Arts for Youth: Watercolor Workshop
Saturday, July 11, 2009; 1:00-3:00pm
Youth explore the use of watercolors to paint favorite parts of Hershey Children's Garden.
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July Twelve on Tuesday
Tuesday, July 14
Seniors enjoy reduced Garden admission, a free program, and discounted menu items in the Café.
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Natural Artistry 7/15
Wednesdays, July 1 & 15, 2009; 2:00-4:00pm
Create art from nature in Hershey Children's Garden.
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Summer 2009 Member Night
Thursday, July 16, 2009 5:30 - 8:30 pm
Special members-only evening featuring special entertainment and more for the entire family.
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Eleanor Squire Library Lecture: Gardening Resources for Kids
Saturday, July 18, 2009; 2:00-3:00pm
Tips for adult and child to encourage play in the Garden.
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BotaniCool® School for Little Buds: Bugging Around
Saturdays, June 20, July 18, and August 15, 2009; 10:30am-12:00pm
A program especially for youngest Garden visitors ages 3-5!
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Eleanor Squire Library Book Sale: Book Collectors’ Special
Wednesday, July 22, 2009; 6:00-9:00 pm
A special sale of obscure, out-of-print and first edition books.
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Common Ground: Gardens for a Greener Tomorrow
July 23- 25, 2009
The American Horticultural Society’s 17th annual National Children & Youth Garden Symposium comes to the Garden this summer.
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Yoga in the Garden Summer Series II
Tuesdays, July 28 through September 1, 2009; 5:45-7:00pm
Relax and enjoy early summer evenings with Yoga in the outdoor gardens.
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Chanoyu: Japanese Tea Ceremony
Saturday, August 1, 2009; 2:00-3:00pm
A unique experience of a traditional tea ceremony demonstration in the Japanese Garden.
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T’ai Chi in the Garden Summer Series II
Saturdays, August 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 and September 5
Enhance your health and well-being with T’ai Chi in the Garden.
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Botanical Arts: Colored Pencil Workshop
Saturday, August 8, 2009; 1:00-4:00 pm
Explore new techniques while drawing in the outdoor gardens.
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August Twelve on Tuesday
Tuesday, August 11
Seniors enjoy reduced Garden admission, a free program, and discounted menu items in the Café.
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Botanical Arts for Youth: Digital Photography Workshop
Saturday, August 15, 2009; 1:00-4:00 pm
Special introductory digital photography program for children.
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Eleanor Squire Library Lecture: The Thomas N. Urban Collection of Rare Books
Wednesday, August 19, 2009; 7:30-8:30 pm
Discover amazing rare books from this special collection.
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S-HORT Course with CBG's HORTiculture Department: Comparing Compost
Saturday, August 22, 2009; 10:30-11:30 am
Composting techniques to prepare next year's soil.
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Green Gardener Certificate Program Fall 2009
Orientation 9/12: 10am-12pm; Lab Sessions Saturdays 9/19, 10/3, 10/17, 10/31,& 11/14; 9 am-1 pm
Dig in and learn with Cleveland Botanical Garden and The Ohio State University
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Public Horticulture Volunteer Certificate program Fall 2009
Orientation 9/12: 10am-12pm; Lab Sessions Saturdays 9/19, 10/3, 10/17, 10/31, 11/14, 11/21, 9 am-1 pm
Cleveland Botanical Garden and The Ohio State University present the Public Horticulture Volunteer Certificate program.
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Cleveland Botanical Garden's Second Annual Golf Outing
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Enjoy a day of golf benefiting Cleveland Botanical Garden's Green Corps Youth Program.
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