View flowers, gardens at fair

DEL MAR — The 2007 Paul Ecke Jr. Flower & Garden Show at the San Diego County Fair will make its spectacular perennial appearance with landscape garden displays, fresh-cut flowers, ornamental horticulture and agricultural exhibits from June 8 through July 4. Flower & Garden Show exhibit hours are from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday through Thursday and from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Recognized as one of the most impressive shows of its kind in the United States, the Flower & Garden Show has more entries in “Landscape Gardens” this year than last, officials reported. According to Edgar Engert, Flower & Garden Show Coordinator, more than 75 landscape gardens and nearly 25,000 floricultural exhibits were displayed during the 22-day event in 2006.

This year’s Professional Floral Designers Contest is open to all active, professional floral designers. The winner will be announced Sunday, June 24, and all entries will be open to fairgoer viewing through June 29. This competition will be the qualifying contest for the Floral Top 10 Designers Contest, which is being held in San Francisco. Patrons also may vote for their favorite professional designer. The winner will receive the People’s Choice award.

“The show features everything from landscape gardens to specimen blooms, as well as displays of San Diego County produce and floral arrangements. Our exhibitors include top professionals, garden clubs, plant societies and individuals,” Engert said.