The New Orleans 2012 Spring Garden Show will be held at the City Park Botanical Garden on April 14-15 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. each day.

April is one of the most beautiful times of the year to visit the New Orleans Botanical Gardens in City Park because so many of the spring flowering plants are putting on a spectacular display of color, according to Russell Harris, LSU AgCenter Orleans Parish horticulture agent and show coordinator.

“If you see anything you like blooming in the gardens, be sure to stop by the New Orleans Botanical Gardens’ sales booth where many of the very same plants will be for sale,” Harris said. “Revenue from the Botanical Gardens’ sales booth helps to support the garden.”

Vendors at the Spring Garden Show always have a wide selection of plants for gardeners to choose from whether they are looking for bedding plants, something rare and unusual to add to their collection or one of the LSU AgCenter-recommended Louisiana Super Plants.

“This year I am working closely with J.B. Anders, LSU AgCenter horticulture agent from Jefferson Parish, to make the Spring Garden Show a success,” Harris said. “We expect this show to be the largest show since Hurricane Katrina.”

Speakers on April 14 will include Dan Gill, LSU AgCenter horticulturist, at 11:30 a.m. presenting Louisiana Super Plants. Charles Allen, Senior Research Associate with Colorado State University stationed at Fort Polk, La. will present Louisiana wildflowers at 1 p.m., and Amber Dawn, Louisiana Master Gardener, will discuss compost at 2:30 p.m.

Speakers on April 15 will include Russell Harris, LSU AgCenter horticulturist at 11:30 a.m., presenting beginning beekeeping. Ron Strahan, LSU AgCenter weed scientist, will present identification and control of common flowerbed weed problems at 1 p.m., and Kathy McCrocklin, Louisiana Master Gardener will discuss butterfly gardening at 2:30 p.m.

Master Gardeners and LSU AgCenter horticulture experts will be available to answer questions from homeowners, who also may bring soil samples for analysis by the LSU AgCenter's Soil Testing Lab. The cost for each one-pint soil sample is $10, payable by check or money order.

At this year’s show Charles Allen, author of “Louisiana Wildflower Guide” and “Edible Plants of the Gulf South,” will speak and hold a book signing.

As with past shows, exhibits and sales booths will be featured throughout the garden. And again this year, 4-H members will be helping in the kids’ discovery area.

Admission is $8 for adults and $4 for children ages 5-12. Children under 5 and members of Friends of City Park may enter for free.

The New Orleans Spring Garden Show is sponsored by the LSU AgCenter in cooperation with the Metro Area Horticulture Foundation and the New Orleans Botanical Garden.

More information about the spring garden show is available from Harris at 504-483-9471.

Johnny Morgan