Beat the winter blues by joining the Ironton in Bloom folks as they head to Columbus on Saturday, March 5 for visits to the Franklin Park Conservatory and the Home, Garden and Flower show.

This one-day motor coach trip is sure to help relieve the seasonal blahs plus provide some great ideas for your home, garden and landscape.

Our first stop is the Franklin Park Conservatory. Built in 1895, it is a botanical landmark two miles east of downtown Cow town. Here you will be welcomed inside by the warmth and beauty of the tropical surroundings of Franklin Park Conservatory’s plant collections.

Set within the 88 acres of Franklin Park, the conservatory houses 400 species of plants from a variety of global climate zones and features a Victorian Palm House with more than 40 species of palms. Today the grounds are splendid botanical gardens and floral displays. Regardless of the season this place is masterpiece.

The conservatory is a premier horticultural and educational institution showcasing exotic plant collections, special exhibitions, and a signature collection of work by glass artist Dale Chihuly. Annual exhibitions include The Orchid Forest, Blooms and Butterflies, and Holidays at the Conservatory. A March stroll through this place is certainly guaranteed to be a little escape from winter’s snow and ice.

After a buffet lunch we’ll travel over to the Ohio State Fairgrounds and spend the afternoon at the 2011 Central Ohio Home and Garden Show. This year the garden design theme is “Gardens that Rock.” This theme challenges the region’s premiere landscape designers to find creative inspiration in rock and roll music.

Featuring 15 full size, living landscapes, each garden will feature one of rock’s greatest icons, eras or legendary songs. Show guests will enjoy landscape elements and aspects that embrace the rock ‘n roll theme while discovering inspiration for their home landscapes and talking one-on-one with experts about their own lawn and garden possibilities.

Individual gardens will feature Bruce Springsteen, Detroit City Rocks, The Eagles’ “Hotel California,” Rock of Ages, The Beatles, Elvis’ “Jail House Rock,” “Rock ‘n Robin,” Chicago’s “Saturday in the Park,” Classic Rock and more.

One of North America’s most exciting and interactive home and garden shows, the Central Ohio Home and Garden Show features more than 400 exhibits, attractions, and presentations. Spanning two weekends, the show offers eight days packed with special events and attractions for all ages, including internationally known celebrities and daily cooking, gardening, home décor and home improvement presentations on two stages. Consumers who visit the show have the opportunity to shop for every imaginable tool, accessory and service for any home improvement or landscape project. In addition, the show will feature countless show-only deals and specials, offering guests the best pricing on everything imaginable for home and garden.

Beyond breathtaking gardens, show visitors this year can discover affordable tips and techniques to make their homes and yards more “green” and eco-friendly.

A $90 per person donation includes your round trip motor coach transportation from Ironton to Columbus, admission to the Columbus Home, Garden and Flower show, the Franklin Park Conservatory and a few meals. This will be a “FUN”d raising day full of flowers, fellowship and gardening ideas.

Your contribution will also help support the fundraising efforts of Ironton in Bloom. These are your neighbors’ who have brought your downtown alive in the spring and summer with wonderful floral displays.

Ironton in Bloom (IIB) is a private group and is funded only with your donations, no tax dollars are utilized. IIB is a charitable organization so in addition to helping beautify Ironton your donations are tax deductible.

For more information about the bus trip, the IIB organization and/or how you can donate please contact call Carol Allen at 740-532-4495, Cindy Caskey at 740-532-3534 or me, the Travel Prof at 740.550.9540.