Garden Party: Welcoming Spring at the Indiana Flower and Patio Show

March came roaring in like a lion this year but there were still several early signs of spring to be found in central Indiana even during spring’s coldest month. Longer days and daffodil shoots peeking up through the ground promised winter would be over soon, and the calendar quickly started filling up with all kinds of fun spring events, including the annual Indiana Flower and Patio Show at the state fairgrounds. My mom and I continued our spring tradition with a visit to the show on March 11. Stepping into the West Pavilion, we were met by bright colors of spring, just the thing to instantly chase away the winter blues.

Upon arrival, visitors were greeted by stacked boxes of flowers at each show entrance and in the corridor between the two show pavilions that McNamara Florist used to make quick and easy floral displays. I thought the idea of showing different varieties of flowers being unpacked was kind of cute and contemporary but not as elaborate as past entrance displays. The stacked cardboard boxes did look a bit like an unfinished display.

McNamara Florist also had the front display in the center aisle’s Showcase Gardens section, which reminded me of a miniature version of Garfield Park conservatory. You could walk along two small paths under a canopy of ficus trees and hanging baskets and become immersed in orchids, exotic bromeliads, interesting ferns, banana trees, palms and other tropical plants.

Our favorite Showcase Garden was hands down the garden shed in the center of West Pavilion designed by Elsie’s Flower Shoppe, who last year wowed visitors with their three different lobby displays. The shed was decorated inside and out with so many beautiful pastel flowers. The front featured a beautiful spray of flowers and branches along the door frame and the back featured moss covered letters spelling out Elsie’s. Along one side of the garden shed were window boxes filled to the brim with beautiful fresh flowers. The other side – my favorite part – featured a bed of flowers nestled in a turquoise daybed rope swing. Inside the shed were fresh flowers for sale and a workbench area featuring a sink, lighted trellis on the ceiling, and flower bouquets drying on a wall rack. Can I have this beautiful shed in my backyard please?

Most of the other gardens didn’t have many unique or distinguishing features that particularly stood out beyond their colorful flowers. In past years there have been some interesting show themes and really spectacular centerpieces in each garden, but many of the garden displays this year were pretty standard as far as backyard ideas go. One interesting Showcase Garden did feature a yellow yurt decorated inside with nice furniture and boho accents. “Think outside the box and live inside the circle” is a mantra that suits yurt life perfectly. Their niche seem to fall somewhere between a fancy tent and a cabin vacation home as far as tiny dwellings go. They can be used for everything from guest quarters to temporary homes, and bonus areas such as workshops to campsite rentals. Lightweight yet strong, yurts can withstand high winds and snow, and be set up in one to three days.

One of our favorite features this year was the new Garden Party display of six tables decorated for outdoor entertaining by six different designers. We enjoyed picking our favorites and seeing the different themes. The designers used a lot of repurposed items from their homes and local vintage shops, mixed in with new yet affordable décor pieces. The six beautiful whitewashed farmhouse tables were provided by Boone County Uniques and made from reclaimed wood. Elsie’s Flower Shoppe provided the flowers used in the designs. Jessica Madison’s table was our favorite. I loved the lanterns and white, gold and green color scheme plus the way everything was so beautifully laid out. Definitely Pinterest worthy!

This year’s Plant Market was split between West Pavilion and Expo Hall, located at the entrances to each pavilion so showgoers could purchase plants on their way out the door. Mom and I always enjoy looking at the vendors located in the Plant Market because there are a couple that sell fairy garden supplies and many of the rest sell early spring annuals, indoor plants like cacti and terrarium plants and fresh flowers. Garden supplies and decorations are also featured in the Plant Market. This year I took home some fairy garden accessories and my first potted shamrock plant, which I enjoyed for St. Patrick’s Day and beyond.

The popular STEMS flower truck (think food truck, but for flowers) returned for their second year at the Indiana Flower and Patio Show. STEMS is like a European flower market on wheels, where shoppers can build their own bouquets stem by stem or purchase pre-designed boquets. The floral arrangements are hand tied in pretty packages of kraft paper at the time of purchase. Since Mom and I didn’t leave the show until late afternoon, the flowers were picked over by then so we have yet to purchase bouquets from STEMS, but I think their flower truck is the cutest concept and a great addition to the Indianapolis area!

My favorite thing about the Indiana Flower and Patio Show is that you get that first delightful taste of spring and all the possibilities of warm weather that lie ahead when it’s still too dreary outside to garden. It’s a way to tide you over until those April showers and May flowers perk up the outdoor scene. Spring’s sneak peek is a welcome treat!