The Preservation Society of Newport County announced today that the 2019 Newport Flower Show will celebrate its 24th year with a variety of special events, expert guest speakers, beautiful floral designs, impressive horticulture exhibits, stunning garden displays, unique shopping opportunities, and more.
The Show opens on Friday, June 21 and runs through Sunday, June 23.
This year’s theme, Audubon: Artistic Adventures, will celebrate bird expert and painter John James Audubon (1785-1851), who declared that he only came alive when “in the field” of this “wild new land” now known as the United States. Audubon’s artful hand created a pictorial journal not only of the birds he loved but also of their habitats. Newport Flower Show attendees will travel with this visionary naturalist on their own “Artistic Adventure” throughout the weekend.
The front lawn of Rosecliff will be transformed into an aviary of both real birds and birds made of plant materials, with vibrant gardens inspired by pink flamingos and blue herons, circular gardens based on Audubon’s paintings of birds, topiary peacocks made entirely of flowers, and much more. Bartlett Tree Experts will sponsor the setting for 15-20-minute pop-up lectures and demonstrations by noted plant experts, flower designers and gardeners on the front lawn throughout the weekend.
The Show will feature internationally known lifestyle expert India Hicks and gardening expert Laura LeBoutillier of GardenAnswer.com as special guest speakers during the Friday and Saturday Lecture Luncheons. Hicks will also join the Newport Flower Show’s Opening Night Party on Friday, June 21; the unofficial “kickoff to summer in Newport” will take place from 6 – 9 p.m. at Rosecliff and will offer a cocktail buffet, live music and dancing, a seaside supper, and other entertaining surprises.
The Show will continue through the weekend with unforgettable garden exhibits, horticultural entries, floral designs, and children’s programs, all staged throughout the elegant reception rooms of Rosecliff, its oceanfront terrace and lawn.
Additional events taking place at Rosecliff throughout the Flower Show weekend include the Afternoon Tea reception on Friday; dinner and a movie on the front lawn of Rosecliff on Saturday evening, including a summer picnic basket supper followed by a screening of the film Greenfingers; and the Sunday Champagne & Jazz Brunch to ease into the last day of the Show.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.NewportFlowerShow.org.