A million blossoms transform Cincinnati into a floral capital this weekend

Tulip Show at Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden

Diana Lockwood, Michael Leach and Teresa Woodard

Floral bed at Cincinnati Flower Show

By Michael Leach

The Cincinnati Flower Show’s orchids, bird of paradise, jasmine, gardenia, zinnias and hundreds of other types of flowers delight  visitors through Sunday (April 17) in park along the Ohio River downtown.

Not far from there, the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden amazes visitors with the splendor of 107,000 tulips in full bloom. Under the brilliant sun, the satiny blossoms glow like stained-glass flowers.

Blogmate Teresa Woodard,  Diana Lockwood, The Columbus Dispatch garden writer and a Garden Writers Association newbie, and I were fortunate to attend a tour of both venues Wednesday with other GWA members. Part of the fun at the show was having Kevin O’Dell, of Kendrick & O’Dell Landscaping, as tour director. He’s one of the show’s organizers and long-time driving force.

Kevin O’Dell

Japanese-themed exhibit by O’Dell

At the zoo, Scott Beuerlein and Stephen Foltz pointed out highlights.

Tulips at Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden

Stephen Foltz

Our only regret? Lack of time. We never got to two other gardener must-sees, Spring Grove Cemetery and Krohn Conservatory. Maybe next year.