What better way to spend a blustery and cold February day than walking through gorgeous gardens while dreaming of spring. For this year’s Central Ohio Home & Garden Show and to celebrate our Bicentennial, members of the Columbus Landscape Association imagined new garden themes for eleven of our city’s greatest icons and landmarks.
For me, the most stunning design was “Hayden Falls Park” created by Seely’s Landscape Nursery out of Hilliard. They incorporated a tall 12-foot waterfall, pool, bridges, natural rocks, wonderfully scented flowers and my favorites, flowering cherry trees.
Yard Solutions recreated “Goodale Park” and incorporated many historical photographs of Flytown in their exhibit.
Probably the most elaborate exhibit was one created by Cedarbrook Landscaping and Garden Center, Inc from Powell. Titled “Back, Now and into the Future,” the garden incorporates a DeLorean, graffiti art, tunnels, bridges and buildings.
Oakland Nursery did a nice job recreating “Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens.”
The “Columbus Museum of Art” garden by Wood Landscape Services brings art outside in a garden setting.
Benchmark Landscape Construction does a nice job bringing the brick and historical feel of the Brewery District to their ‘The Brewery District” garden. The Hoster Smokestack vents an outdoor garden fireplace.
The other landmarks remade into gardens include City Hall, The Arena District, City of Columbus, A Buckeye Tailgate and German Village.
I have not been to the Central Ohio Home & Garden Show in over ten years, but I think it is worth going to check out these gardens. There is also a large play area for kids. Your $12 admission for adults (kids 12 and under are free) will of course also 
get you into the rest of the show. I did a quick walk-through of the rest of the show and there is a lot to take in. Weaver Barns of Sugarcreek, Ohio has a beautiful display of prebuilt structures that has me dreaming of a little place to escape to in my own backyard. Candice Olson from HGTV will be making an appearance on Saturday, March 3. Nick Dekker will be there tomorrow, Sunday, February 26 at 11am talking about breakfast and signing copies of his book Breakfast with Nick: Columbus.
This is a wonderful and imaginative way to celebrate Columbus’ 200th Birthday. Enjoy it if you go!
If you go: The 56th Annual Central Ohio Home & Garden Show started today, Saturday, February 25 and runs through Sunday, March 4 at the Ohio Expo Center. Show hours are: Saturdays, 10am to 9pm, Sundays, 10am to 6pm, Tuesday-Friday, noon to 9pm. It will be closed on Monday, February 27. Tickets are $12 at the door for adults. Special pricing: $10 admission after 5pm every day. Children ages 12 and under are admitted free. A portion of tickets sales benefits Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Parking is $5. More information is available on their website.