2022 US Garden Shows and Flower Festivals

Always been fascinated by the transformative beauty of a flower? Now’s the perfect time to nurture your appreciation of the restorative benefits of gardening, flowers, plants, and nature in general. Travel is opening up more and more and you can now take advantage of every opportunity to enjoy the fun in flower and garden shows this spring. Perfectly in bloom during this season of renewal and new beginnings are thousands of flowering plants ready to nourish your senses, stimulate your imagination, and renew your spirit. Here are six must-see flower festivals this spring.

Skagit Valley Flower Festival, Washington

Sixty miles north of Seattle is Skagit Valley that’s home to some 350 acres of healthily growing tulips.

For the whole month of April, Skagit Valley offers three gardens for you to visit. Get your camera ready as you wouldn’t want to miss Instagram-worthy shots with luxurious tulips and bright, cheery daffodils in bloom.

Biltmore Blooms, North Carolina

Prepare to be dazzled by a magnificent estate and its vivid gardens and grounds as you escape to a spring getaway at Biltmore. Enjoy a serene day as you relish in the calming presence of flowers, trees, and bushes. Expect to see a variety of blooming plants including hydrangeas, begonias, orchids, calatheas, daffodils, magnolias, tulips, periwinkle, irises, camellias, Virginia bluebells, rhododendrons, and Lenten rose plants. Providing interest are various flowering trees including the fragrant Edgeworthia.

The best time to visit is from April through May. Biltmore is open daily. You have the option to get an expert-guided small group tour or do a self-guided tour.

EPCOT International Flower Festival, Florida

Held annually at EPCOT in Walt Disney World Resort (Baylake, Florida) is the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival. This event runs from March 2 to July 2, 2022. The highlights are, of course, flower exhibits, topiary displays, and gardens but there are also other interesting activities. Many people go for the outdoor kitchens that showcase spring’s bounty. Aside from seeing breathtaking garden spaces, Disney character topiaries, and floral exhibits, you can also enjoy a palate-pleasing adventure from tasty dishes and desserts. You can also do some shopping and enjoy live entertainment in the evening. 

This 90-day flower festival is made possible by about 400 Walt Disney World horticulturists. Millions of blooms plus hundreds of flower planters and gardens ensure you’ll have a vibrant time at Epcot.

Portland Rose Festival, Oregon

Portland’s official festival, this civic event in Oregon promotes the region through a multi-week celebration with entertainment for all interests and ages. The massive party in the City of Roses showcases fireworks displays, parades, a carnival fair, a fun run, a Grand Floral Parade with impressive floats, and more.

Admission is free at the Lloyd Center for the Portland Rose Society Annual Spring Rose Show. Get to see thousands of roses in a competitive staging by growers from the Pacific Northwest region.

Mackinac Island Lilac Festival, Michigan

This is a 10-day festival on Mackinac Island (Northern Michigan) celebrating lilacs. The flowering woody plant has thrived for years on the island’s good soil and adequate rainfall plus winter hardening. Some of the world’s biggest and oldest lilac plants can be found on the island.

The festival is timed when the lilacs are in bloom. It will run from June 3-12, 2022 with this year’s theme: Peace, Love, Lilacs. This large event showcases hundreds of beautiful and fragrant lilac blossoms, a Grand Parade, horse-drawn carriage tours, lilac talks and walks, live music, and the coronation of a Lilac Queen.

Philadelphia Flower Show, Pennsylvania

Held annually since 1829 is the Philadelphia Flower Show. This horticultural event draws thousands of people to Philly every year. This year, it will run from June 11-19, 2022 in FDR Park, South Philadelphia. Spectacular floral displays in varying shapes and sizes will catch your eyes and invigorate your spirit. The theme for this year is “In Full Bloom” with a focus on the healing power of nature.

The colorful spectacle of flowers in full bloom will surely captivate you and remind you of the promise of spring.