Atlanta Botanical Garden Flower Show!

Flower show features designers Bruno Duarte and James Farmer Renowned floral designers and entertaining gurus Bruno Duarte and James Farmer will share their sought-after expertise on Saturday, Feb. 24 during the Atlanta Botanical Garden Flower Show. With the theme Ingenue: A Toast to Georgia’s Film Industry, the show, set for February 23 – 25, includes juried competitions in Floral Design, Horticulture, and Photography as well as a professional Landscape Design division (Registration details at atlantabg.org/flowershow). In addition to the competitions, the event, which benefits the Garden’s International Plant Exploration Program, will feature Duarte, an internationally known floral designer,  and Farmer, a Georgia floral and interior designer, and lifestyle author. Duarte grew up surrounded by flowers on his family's farm in Madeira, an island paradise off the coast of Morocco that’s known as the floating garden and home to rare species of flowers from around the world.  It's there that his passion for orchids and all things floral began. Duarte’s approach to floral design is both sculptural and emotional, blending together organic materials and found objects to create works of art.  His floral studio in Toronto is often mistaken for an art gallery, where weekly window displays are created to showcase his artistry. His exceptional craftsmanship and innovative design techniques have captured the attention of socialites and celebrities such as Renee Zellweger, Patti LaBelle, and Sir Elton John.  When not in his studio, he can be found designing in front of a live audience, appearing frequently on local and national television programs, and at home and garden shows. Born and raised in the South, Farmer is a professional garden, floral and interior designer; author; and lifestyle expert.  He is the author of the books A Time To Plant; Sip & Savor; Porch Living; Wreaths For All Seasons; A Time To Cook, Dinner on the Grounds; A Time to Celebrate; and A Place to Call Home. In addition, Farmer is an editor-at-large for Southern Living and a frequent guest on television and radio shows.  A skilled and entertaining speaker, he masterfully guides his audience through the art of elegant garden living. Tickets to hear both speakers are $50 and can be purchased at atlantabg.org/flower show. For more information, call 404-591-1730.

Gardens for Connoisseurs Tour 2017!

Mother's Day Weekend Tradition Features Ten Private Sites For celebrating Mother’s Day, there’s no better place to explore than the ten breathtaking gardens featured on the annual Gardens for Connoisseurs Tour Saturday and Sunday, May 13 - 14. Benefiting the Atlanta Botanical Garden, the tour spotlights private home gardens in metro Atlanta, including Buckhead, Sandy Springs, Brookhaven, and Midtown. Featuring a range of styles and sizes -- from tranquil woodland settings to intimate urban oases, the professionally designed to “gardener’s gardens” – the event will delight both green thumbs and the “garden curious” alike. Tickets for the self-guided tour, held rain or shine each day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., go on sale April 1 at www.atlantabg.org and at select area retailers. They are $28 in advance (garden members $22) and $35 on days of the tour and are valid both days.  For information, visit atlantabg.org

Orchid Daze Returns!

Step into a warm, fragrant tropical oasis of flowers February 11 – April 9 during Orchid Daze, the Atlanta Botanical Garden’s annual orchid extravaganza.

Staged among thousands of beautiful orchids in the Fuqua Orchid Center – one of the country’s largest collections of species orchids – the popular exhibition features three paradisiacal settings that allow visitors to leave behind their urban surroundings.

In the Fuqua Conservatory lobby, guests stroll under a canopy of stately Caribbean palms while tropical orchids in mango, pineapple and coral colors burst like sparklers overhead. Below is a diverse carpet of exquisite slipper orchids of varying sizes.

Beneath its 22-foot ceiling, the Orchid Atrium features a soaring vertical tapestry woven with fragrant orchids. Visitors see up close and at eye level the astonishing variety of intricate patterns and colors that bewitch orchid pollinators.  Pansy Orchids with big bold flowers of vibrant magenta, gold and pink contrast with delicate miniature Dancing Lady Orchids.  A surrounding backdrop of Moth Orchids lends the feeling of complete immersion in an orchid paradise.

Finally, the Orchid Display House welcomes guests to an idyllic escape. Colorful hammocks billowing with Cattleya Orchids are laced between russet-colored Manzanita trees, creating the ultimate warm haven on a chilly day.

In addition, Orchid Daze includes Orchid Market Weekends Feb. 18 - 19, March 18 – 19 and  April 8 – 9, when visitors may shop for a wide variety of orchids and potting supplies as well as arts and crafts by local artisans. Also, on Saturdays of those weekends, they may take advantage of  Orchid Care Clinics for advice on caring for their plants.

New Flower Show at the Atlanta Botanical Garden!

New flower show blooms in '18! Atlantans who fondly recall escaping the winter blues by exploring the beauty and fragrance of an indoor flower show are in for a blooming treat next year. In 2018, the Atlanta Botanical Garden Flower Show will debut in the halls of the Midtown attraction Friday, Feb. 23 – Sunday, Feb. 25. “We are so excited to present this new event showcasing the finest displays of floral design, horticulture, landscape design, and photography imaginable,” said Mary Pat Matheson, the Garden’s President & CEO.  “The Garden is the perfect setting for a flower show because our facilities and gardens will serve as a beautiful backdrop for these entries while providing the show with a permanent home.“ Flower shows are a seasonal draw in many large cities throughout the United States, and Atlanta enjoyed such an event for 25 years, staged at various venues around the city, including the Garden.  The first Atlanta Flower Show opened in 1988 and ran through 1993 before evolving into the Southeastern Flower Show from 1994 through 2013.  From 2008 – 2013, the event was presented by the Southeastern Horticultural Society, which held its last show at Cobb Galleria Centre. The Garden was a beneficiary of the show as well as a longtime exhibitor, and many of the Garden’s earliest volunteers were active in the event, which for years was run by its own non-profit organization. Since the Southeastern Flower Show ended, Garden staff often have been asked to help resurrect a flower show.  “We decided it was time,“ Matheson said, “because it’s so important to continue to offer competitive shows where the art and science of horticulture and floriculture can be presented and celebrated.” With the theme Ingenue: A Toast to Georgia’s Film Industry, the 2018 inaugural show will start out small, staged inside several of the Garden’s facilities, and include professionally-judged competitions in the divisions of Floral Design, Horticulture, Landscape Design, and Photography.  The competition is open to the public in all categories except Landscape Design, and division classes will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.  Registration information will be available in the fall on atlantabg.org. The honorary chair for the 2018 event is Pat Hartrampf, founding chairman of the Atlanta Flower Show, a past president and member of its board of directors.  Co-chairs for the show are Mary Wayne Dixon, and Mary Katherine Greene. “After next year, we hope the show will expand as it grows to become one of Atlanta’s most anticipated annual events,” Matheson said. The mission of the Atlanta Botanical Garden is to develop and maintain plant collections for display, education, research, conservation and enjoyment. The Garden is located at 1345 Piedmont Ave. NE in Midtown, between 14th Street and Monroe Drive. The Garden is open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays through Sunday. Admission is $21.95 adults, $15.95 children 3-12, free to children under 3 and Garden members. For more information visit atlantabg.org or phone 404-876-5859.                                        1345 Piedmont Ave NE | Atlanta, GA 30309 US

Pike Nurseries to Hire More than 200 New Employees!

Spring is right around the corner, which means jobs are in full bloom at the nation’s largest independent garden retailer. Pike Nurseries will add more than 200 seasonal associates to its metro-Atlanta and Charlotte locations in the coming weeks.  Whether applicants are experienced sales professionals, retail managers, or hobby gardeners, the neighborhood garden center has available positions for anyone who loves plants, people, and playing in the dirt. Interested candidates are encouraged to attend the Pike Nurseries Career Fair on Thursday, February 2, 2017 from 3-6 p.m. at any store location to learn about position descriptions, qualifications, and benefit information.  Applications will be available during this time, as well as at all Pike Nurseries locations and online.

Pike Nurseries - Annual Christmas Garden Party!

Customers are invited to celebrate the spirited season with Pike Nurseries’ annual Christmas Garden Party on Thursday, December 1 from 4-9 p.m.  Happening at all store locations, attendees will enjoy light bites, complimentary “Poinsettia” cocktails, and seasonal savings throughout the store with 20% off the purchase of regular priced items (excluding gift cards, pine straw, propane, sale items, services, and sod). Whether guests are looking to deck the halls with festive décor or garnish with fresh greenery, Pike Nurseries has the best selection of Christmas trees, accessories, and more to make homes feel merry and bright! WHAT: Annual Christmas Garden Party at Pike Nurseries Celebrate the season with festive fun, complimentary treats, holiday discounts and more! WHEN: Thursday, December 1 4-9 p.m.* *Pike Nurseries’ Lake Oconee store location will host the event from 3-7 p.m. *Food and drink service will end one hour prior WHERE: All Pike Nurseries locations Visit www.pikenursery.com for local store information. COST: The event is FREE to attend.  Guests will enjoy 20% off each purchase (offer valid on all regular priced items excluding gift cards, pine straw, propane, sale items, services  and sod.  Limited quantities are available with selection varied by location). INFO: For more information on the Christmas Garden Party or other events, visit bit.ly/PikeNurseriesEvents. For more information about Pike Nurseries, please visit www.pikenursery.com. Visit Pike Nurseries on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.

Annual Spring Party and Discount at Pike Nurseries!

Spring time is here!

To help customers celebrate the start of the season, Pike Nurseries is hosting its annual Spring Garden Party on Friday, April 1 from 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.*

Guests can enjoy complimentary wine and light appetizers along with store wide discounts on a variety of plants, gardening accessories, and more. Whether you're looking to plant trees and shrubs, fertilize flowering annuals, reseed the lawn, or purchase summer bulbs, this event is the perfect opportunity for gardeners of all levels to stock up on all spring essentials and plant the seeds for a successful growing season!

There will even be some exciting prizes up for grabs!  Customers who post a picture during the event on Facebook or Instagram using #PikeGardenParty will be eligible to win a $50 Pike Nurseries gift card! The winner will be selected at random and notified via Facebook or Instagram on Monday, April 4. Attendees can also participate in a register-to-win raffle drawing for the newly released Autumn Fire™ azalea shrub! Five winners will be randomly selected at the event and contacted the following week. All winners must be able to pick up their Autumn Fire™ in one of Pike Nurseries’ store locations.

WHAT:          Spring Garden Party at Pike Nurseries

           Expert advice for spring planting, free refreshments, storewide discounts, and more!

WHEN:          Friday, April 1

4 – 8 p.m.*

*Pike Nurseries Lake Oconee event will be held from 4 – 7 p.m.

WHERE:       All Pike Nurseries locations

                        Please visit www.pikenursery.com for local store information

COST:            The event is FREE to attend

INFO:             http://bit.ly/1RqU0vU

For more information, please visit Pike Nurseries online at www.pikenursery.com. 

Visit Pike Nurseries on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.