In Hartford, It's Spring, At Least Through Sunday

A portion of the display by Pondering Creations.
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HARTFORD, Conn. - Pondering Creations, based in Terryville, Conn., captured "Best in Show" for a second straight year at the 33rd annual Connecticut Flower and Garden Show.

It took two people five days to construct the display garden at the show, but the preparation began back in October.  Kevin Rescildo, owner, joked that he was expecting others to bring in white sand and palm trees to illustrate this year's theme of "Backyard Paradise." But Rescildo focused on creating a natural landscape.

"I'd rather see something realistic and [a] New England style," he said. Located in landscape number one of the demonstration gardens (prime real estate for winning Best in Show at the 2013 show), his display consisted of shrubs and plants such as Variegated Threadleaf Cypress (Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Filifera Aureovariegata'), Hosta Guacamole and Purple Gem Rhododendron. Insert an open gazebo, spring bulbs and of course, a water feature.

"Our main forte is the water features," he said. This one came complete with fish. Rescildo has been in the business for for 13 years. "I've been building ponds since I was 12. I'm lucky I can do it every day for a living."

A portion of the display by Supreme Landscapes, LLC.
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The Best Design Award was awarded to Supreme Landscapes LLC, based in Bristol, Conn. Matt Kaminski, owner, said his display took five days to construct with the help of four people. He looks forward to the annual show where designing a display garden is "fun and addictive." The best part, according to Kaminski, is "starting to work before spring is here."

The planning begins a few months in advance of the show when Kaminski sits down with his wife and brainstorms. He said this year's idea began with an herb garden, and "it came together." His display features an herb garden shed, a spiral labyrinth and a water feature.

A side view of the Pondering Creations display.

The Connecticut Flower and Garden Show runs through Sunday (Feb. 23) at the Connecticut
Convention Center. Tickets are available at the door, cash only; $16 for adults and $4 for children ages 5-12. (Also be sure to budget in money for parking. I spent almost nine hours at the show on Thursday and paid $17 to park in the attached garage. Hopefully a better rate can be arranged for next year's show.)

Click here to view more award results via The Hartford Courant.