By Leslie Church
Around this time of year a light scent of spring
starts to fill the air. It may
come from the melting away of winter, but there’s a good chance it’s wafting
through the city from the thousands upon thousands of fresh bulbs blooming at
the Erie County Botanical Gardens.
The annual Spring Flower Show, a Western New
York tradition for those looking to break up the monochrome gray of winter,
opens its doors March 28th and will blossom throughout the spring months until
April 26th.
Dreary eyes will awaken to bursts of color
from bright yellow daffodils, bunches of soft purple hydrangeas, cheery tulips
and many more Spring treasures, all waiting for noses to sniff their sweet
aroma. Hyacinths, lilacs and
Easter lilies invite visitors with the Garden’s tropical oasis as a backdrop.
“After
such a long winter, it’s nice to come out to the gardens and see all the flowers
and colors of spring,” said David Daehnke, the newly-appointed executive
director of the Botanical Gardens. “Not only to get you ready for spring but
also to give you some ideas of things you can do in your garden.”
Daehnke, who began as executive director in
early March, said he is looking forward to his first Spring Flower Show as well
as spending time with Buffalonians, whom he finds as warm and welcoming as the
show itself. (“A thousand times
nicer” than the old crowd in New Jersey, to be exact.)
Upcoming Events:
For those who can’t wait to nip winter in the
bud, the Paradise Under Glass happens on March 26th,
with a look at the gardens after dark and a chance to break out a Hawaiian shirt hiding in the back of the closet. The $25 pre-sale tickets benefit one of The Buffalo and Erie
County Botanical Gardens Society’s biggest fundraisers. Music, cold beer and
fine wine will abound.
Other spring events include the Dress Your
Easter Best Weekend, where prizes will be handed out to the most creative and
season-inspired Easter bonnets and ties during the April 10th weekend.
The Easter Egg Hunt on April 11th for kids 6
and under lets little ones explore the gardens in search of eggs that can be
exchanged for special treats from Perry’s Ice Cream and Wendy’s.
Lastly, Dollar Admission Day on April 26th
gives visitors one final chance to take in the vibrant colors of spring. But no need to worry–by that time
winter blues will be long gone.
The Botanical Gardens, located at 2655 South
Park Avenue in Lackawanna, is open 10AM to 5PM every day. Admission for adults is $6, seniors and students are
$5, children 6-13 are $3, and kids under 6 are free. For more information visit www.buffalogardens.com.