Northwest Garden Festival Opens
The Northwest Flower & Garden Festival kicked off today in Seattle, running through February 22 with display gardens, plant markets, and expert talks. The event serves as a prime inspiration source for gardeners and outdoor living enthusiasts planning spring projects. Garden News released its latest issue with seasonal advice and step-by-step project guides for British gardeners.
- The event was founded in 1989 by Duane and Alice Kelly and has since grown to become the second-largest garden show in the United States, trailing only the Philadelphia Flower Show. - The 2026 festival's theme is "Spring Parade," which will influence the design of the more than 20 massive display gardens. - The festival typically draws between 55,000 and 60,000 attendees; the 2023 event saw the highest turnout in eight years with nearly 60,000 people. - A major attraction is the creation of the display gardens, with armies of landscapers and designers assembling the full acre of exhibits in under 72 hours. - In addition to the gardens, the festival hosts over 115 educational sessions and hands-on workshops, many of which are included with the price of admission. - The event includes live, judged competitions such as "Container Wars," where designers are challenged to create multiple lush container arrangements in less than an hour. - In 2020, the Northwest Flower & Garden Festival was rated the #1 garden show in the U.S. by Better Homes & Gardens magazine.
