Aynne Doil, Chair of the Hidden Gardens of Munjoy Hill, at  the  Flower Show Today.   The  Self-Guided Tour is Sunday, July 8, 2018 from 10:00 am 4:00 pm.

An Original Tribute to Munjoy Hill was This Replica of Fort Gorges in Casco Bay by Seabreeze Property Services.

One of the Twelve Displays by Billy Goat Landscaping & Lawn, Kennebunk, Won the Color Award.

Picture Perfect Landscaping won Color Palette Award, Bowdoinham.

Many thousands looking for spring color admist this snowy white winter attended the 2nd Annual Maine Flower Show today.  And they  found it – at Thompson’s Point.

Depending on who you talked to, some said there was more green in the 12 displays this year and some said  – no – that is not so. Milissa Shaw, co-owner of Picture Perfect Landscapes,  said there were more greens this year because “greens are easier to force than flowers.” Her display won the Color Palette Award in the Show.  Billy Goat Landscaping & Lawn won the Color Award.  “I think we are the most photographed display in the show,” said a happy Kyle ?, owner of Billy Goat, a family owned business.

Tom Atwell, free-lance writer whose topic is gardening said:  “There isn’t a bad garden in this place.  Even the small gardens that didn’t win an award have great plants and great things you can learn about design. Skillins didn’t win anything, but the condition and the color palette are what everyone wants in their home.”  Tim Bate, nursery manager for Skillins Greenhouses said:  “I appreciate his recognition of that.  This just wasn’t our year.”

Mike Corsie, President, of Terrapin Landscapes,  won six awards this year – a record for the Portland flower show.  Just back from lunch at Bissell Brothers, he said:  “Next year it’s 7 awards,” grinning.  “This show gives us a chance to demonstrate all of our skills.”

No one would ever go hungry or thirsty at this Maine Flower Show. There was an ice cream venue, a coffee bar, several bars and a cupcake vendor scattered throughout Brick South.  But the biggest surprise came from a seating area accommodating  about 100 next to a full kitchen offering a number of really good lunch options.  Josh Potock, owner of The Bread & Butter Catering Company told this blogger that he has signed a contract with Thompson’s Point owners to provide catering services for events at Brick South.  To date, his five year old company has catered numerous weddings and corporate events at Brick South.

“Food service is better this year because it’s all inside,” said Paula Hodgdon, of Hollis Center.  “There are more spring blooms this year than last year and it continues to be an excellent venue for this event.”

The Maine Flower Show runs through Sunday, March 25, 2018.  Please visit previous post herein dated March 19, 2018 for more background information on the Second Annual Maine Flower Show produced by MELNA.