Don't let the theme of the 39th-annual flower show fool you: The Nurturing Garden: Birds, Bees, Butterflies and Best Friends sounds gentle, but the competition promises to be fierce. Which brings to light a seldom mentioned fact: gardeners are as competitive as athletes. This weekend they get to go head-to-head in a wide range of horticultural and sartorial events. Even at Saturday evening’s fundraising gala, “La Fete des Fleurs,” attendees will be playing to win.
At the flower show there are seven classes in the Design Division (think: flower arranging), including the Men’s Challenge Class and three classes in the Youth Division, for ages 5-12. In addition, there are more than 50 classes for horticulture, including annuals and perennials, bulbs, roses, vegetables, herbs, potted plants and flowering shrubs. Members and non-members alike must submit their plants and arrangements prior to the show; (See details below.) Saturday evening, at the family-friendly cocktail hour “La Fete de Fleur”, held this year at a spectacular private garden in Canaan, NY, the sport continues. Guests are encouraged to wear attire, especially hats, that reflect the nurturing-garden theme. There will be prizes for both children and adults. Berkshire Botanical GardensRtes. 102 & 183, Stockbridge; 413.298.3926 Saturday, 1-5; Sunday, 10-5 Deliver plants and arrangements to the Garden’s Exhibit Hall on Saturday morning between 8 and 10.
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