
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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2012 Sustainability Symposium
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2012 Sustainability Symposium & Workshop Registration
Cleveland Botanical Garden's 2012 Sustainability Symposium and "The Dirt on Dirt Workshop".
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2012 Sustainability Symposium Registration
Cleveland Botanical Garden's 2012 Sustainability Symposium: "Eat Your Yard"
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Daily Glasshouse Explorations
Tuesdays through Sundays
Visit the Glasshouse for daily scheduled activities including animal meet and greets and tours.
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Tai Chi in the Garden Winter 2012 Series I
Saturdays, January 7, 14, 21, 28* and February 11 & 18, 2012; 8:15-9:45am
Relax the mind and body with T'ai Chi in the Garden.
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Winter Yoga in the Garden
Tuesdays, January 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 & February 7, 2012; 5:45-7:00pm
Start a new year right with Hatha Yoga at the Garden.
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Winter Gourmets in the Garden Cooking Series
Wednesdays, January 18, 25 and February 1 & 8, 2012; 6:00-8:00pm
The popular winter series returns to the Garden for another season with some of Cleveland's finest chefs preparing delicious comfort foods with local ingredients.
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Nature Tales Story Time in the Eleanor Squire Library
Thursdays, November 3, 2011 through March 29, 2012; 11:00am
Stories, songs, and an activity for youngest Garden guests.
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Sex in the Glasshouse
Orchids abound and love is in the air. Bring your soul mate to a fun cocktail party celebrating the birds and the bees at the Garden.
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Orchid Mania: This Side of Paradise
The Garden celebrates the opulent, sensual and independent orchid in a 1920s setting befitting of flappers and Phalaenopsis.
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Ask the Orchid Doctor 2012
Saturdays, February 11, 25 and March 3 & 24, 2012; 1:00-3:00pm
Learn tips for successfully growing orchids at home.
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Drawing and Painting Orchids Series
Tuesdays, February 14 through March 27, 2012; 11:00am-1:30pm
Strengthen drawing and composition skills and capture the natural beauty of the orchid.
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2012 Green Gardener & Public Horticulture Volunteer Certification Series
Saturdays, February 18, March 3, 17, 31 and April 14 & 28, 2012; 9:00am-1:30pm
Engage in garden learning with on-site lab sessions.
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Eleanor Squire Library Rare Book Tour
Saturday, February 18, 2012; 2:00-2:30pm
A unique opportunity to tour the Garden's rare book collection.
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Orchid Watercolor Pencil Workshop
Sunday, February 19, 2012; 10:00am-1:00pm
Explore new techniques with watercolor pencils and enjoy private drawing time of the orchids in Orchid Mania.
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Orchid Macro Photography Weekend Workshop
Saturday, February 25, 2012; 10:00 am – 4:00 pm and Sunday, February 26, 2012; 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Capture the intimate macro imate of the orchids in Orchid Mania with private class time in the Glasshouse.
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T’ai Chi in the Garden 2012 Winter Series II
Saturdays, February 25 and March 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31, 2012; 8:15-9:45am
Relax the mind and body with T'ai Chi in the Garden.
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Eleanor Squire Library Tea
Sunday, February 26, 2012; 2:00-4:30pm
An old Garden tradition returns with keynote speaker Lester Lefton, President of Kent State University.
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2012 Orchid Vendor Weekend
Saturday and Sunday, March 3 & 4, 2012; During Garden hours
Take home a selection of unique orchids and growing supplies from local vendors.
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Botanical Arts: Hand Painting on Silk
Saturday, March 3, 2012; 9:30am-4:30pm
Create your own pieces of art during this introduction to silk painting.
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Eleanor Squire Library Program: Johnny Appleseed
Saturday, March 10, 2012; 2:00-3:00pm
Explore the profile and fascinating life of John Chapman.
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The Desert Country of Northern Arizona and Utah
Saturday and Sunday, March 17 & 18, 2012; 2:00-3:00pm
Presented by Bill Hendricks of Klyn Nurseries.
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Adobe Lightroom Workflow Workshop
Saturday, March 24, 2012; 10:00am-4:00pm
An introduction to the creative power of Adobe Lightroom.
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Pot et Fleurs Workshop
Saturday, March 31, 2012; 10:00am-12:00pm
Prepare to enter the Floral Design Exhibit in April during the Spring at the Garden Show!
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Scouts on the Circle 2012
Saturday, March 31, 2012: 10:00am-5:00pm
Save the date for the first Scouts on the Circle event!
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BotaniCool Kids Camp Session I
A fun day camp experience for children ages 5 - 8.
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BotaniCool Kids Camp Session II
A fun day camp experience for children ages 5 - 8.
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