Cincinnati Flower Show April 18th - 26th, 2009 - Flower Shows

Cincinnati Flower Show April 18th - 26th, 2009
The Cincinnati Horticultural Society

Symmes Township Park
11600 North Lebanon Road
Symmes Township, OH 45140

(800) 670-6808

"The king of all flower shows" - Better Homes and Gardens Magazine

America's most acclaimed flower show featuring world class exhibits, social events, gardener's and plant markets, a lecture series and tours.

General Show Dates

Sat., April 18 • 10am - 7:30pm
Sun., April 19 – Sat., April 25 • 10am - 7:30pm
Sun., April 26 • 10am - 6pm

Special Events

Friday, April 17 • 6pm - 10pm
Opening Night Gala benefiting the Cincinnati Horticultural Center at Symmes Township

Saturday, April 18 – Sunday, April 19
Cincinnati Fine Food Show

Saturday, April 25 – Sunday April 26
Small Wonders Weekend

Brief History

In Cincinnati the winters can be long and cold. April brings back wild flowers and the famous Cincinnati Flower Show that has become synonymous with the return of spring. Thus, April is an enchanting month for us and the Flower Show is a tribute to spring, and to the flowers that make our lives much more colorful.

The first ever Cincinnati Flower and Garden Show debuted in 1990 and lasted for two days. It was held at the picturesque Ault Park, in Cincinnati, as were the next 11 shows to come. In 2003, the Cincinnati Flower Show outgrew the space and strategically moved to historic Coney Island. In this new space, the Show was determined to strive in a new way - and with the new theme "Growing Together" it was inspired to go forward to be a pleasurable visit not just for gardeners, but for the families and children as well.

It is joyful to trace the progress of the Cincinnati Horticultural Society from its humble origin to its present position of importance for the city of Cincinnati. During the period of 18 years, the Cincinnati Flower Show has been endorsed by the Royal Horticultural Society, honored as a "King of All Flower Shows" by Better Homes and Gardens, named as one of the "Top 100 Places in USA" by American Bus Association, and included in a newly published book 1,000 Places to See in USA and Canada Before You Die by Patricia Schultz.

Today, Cincinnati Flower Show is also considered one of the great local leaders for improving the environment and the community. The Cincinnati Flower Show has always been a favorite with the people because it is an opportunity to take a day off from this world of high-tech, come to the high touch of flowers and be refreshed. Each year, the exhibits are extravagant - dazzling white Grand Marquee pavilion with dozens of exhibits from African violets to exotic wild flowers, hydrangeas, roses, ferns, Wordsworth's Golden Daffodils to fragrant Hyacinths, and Hippocrates "Food for The Soul".

One of the Society's long range goals is to produce the finest flower and garden show in North America, as well as to provide exceptional educational opportunities regarding horticulture. But the most important goal of the Society is the realization that the public sees flowers as a major ornament in gardens, outdoor spaces, and in our lives.

In the earlier shows, tremendous support was given to programs that inspired the community to rise and preserve the art of creating public and private gardens. In subsequent years, Society initiated annual Gardener Recognition Program for local gardeners. The program selected the best private gardens and honored their creators. The gardens opened to the public and today, more than 100 people come to see them. In subsequent years, the Society gained community support to invite more children to the Flower Show. The Children's Potting Program is a striving endeavor to educate children about flowers and nature and the contribution they can make to keep our planet green. This program has been very successful and over 7,000 children came to discover something new, even if it only means playing with snapdragons.

Over the years, the Show has established itself as a forerunner in the green industry. The 17th annual Show held its staunch belief to honor and protect the earth. That year, the Cincinnati Park Department installed the centerpiece garden, which highlighted the use of clean renewable fuel including a car made of corn and soybeans. In 2007, the Show's first "A Greener Future" exhibit called on all of us to think about the environment and what each of us can do to help. The Green House exhibit suggested simple and practical things any homeowner can do to help nature, such as planting native plants in your garden, growing your own herbs and edible flowers, or having a vertical garden in urban areas to control water consumption.

So set aside time to smell the flowers, time to take in their beauty and diversity, and most of all, make flowers be a part of your daily life…

Copyright © 2009 Cincinnati Horticultural Society