Hartford: Get ready for a 'Breath of Spring'

A demonstration garden from the 2015 Connecticut Flower and Garden Show.

It seems as if Mother Nature agrees: Connecticut is ready for spring.

Today, landscape designers continued to toil away in the Connecticut Convention Center, transforming more than an acre of exhibition space into demonstration gardens with 300 cubic yards of mulch and 3,000 square feet of sod. Meanwhile, outside in the days leading up to the debut of the 37th Annual Connecticut Flower and Garden Show temperatures were above average: between 60-70 degrees F — in February.

That 'Breath of Spring' will carry visitors to Hartford Thursday, to kick off more than 50 hours of garden lectures and a new interactive, screened-in Butterfly Encounter.

This year, sources hint that many displays focus on naturalistic gardens attractive to pollinators, as well as whimsical water features. (It will be hard to beat the waterfall piano featured two years ago — but there's a hint that designers this year decided it was time to think bigger.) For a sneak peek, check out these behind-the-scenes photos shared on Facebook yesterday.

Still need inspiration? More than 12,000 square feet of design, horticulture and botanical arts will be on display thanks to the Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut’s 2018 Advanced Standard Flower Show.

A demonstration garden by Encore Landscaping
in 2015.

A demonstration garden by Supreme Landscapes

in 2015.

Don't forget the shopping. With more than 300 booths offering plants, statuary, garden essentials and artwork, it is hard not to leave empty handed. Each year many artisan and independent garden shops offer various treasures that tempt gardeners of all skill levels.

Need a plant? Country Flower Farms display in 2015.

If you go

37th Annual Connecticut Flower and Garden Show

The Connecticut Convention Center, Hartford, Connecticut.

Thursday, Feb. 22 through Sunday, Feb. 25.

Tickets (cash only): $18 adults; $16 seniors; $5 for children (under five admitted for free).

Show hours: Thursday 10 a.m. – 7 pm; Friday, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Updated 2/24/18: Read this year's show coverage here.