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“I love spring anywhere,” said gardening author Ruth Stout, “but if I could choose I would always greet it in a garden.” Sounds like good advice. Welcome the new season by visiting one of Maryland’s spectacular gardens.
Annmarie Garden Sculpture Park and Art Center in Southern Maryland has a splendid display of nature and art. On the Eastern Shore, Adkins Arboretum in Tuckahoe State Park showcases the Delmarva region’s largest collection of native plants. Ladew Topiary Gardens in Harford County has 15 themed “garden rooms” on 22 acres. And, Brookside Gardens in Montgomery County is a 50-acre collection of award-winning public gardens.
Maryland’s assortment of gardens is as varied as the many types of flowers and plants in the places mentioned above. Maryland – a land of gardens.
Top image courtesy of Adkins Arboretum |
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Spring Delights – In bloom, again
Along with baseball, these events are telltale clues that spring has arrived:
- Somerset County Garden Club Daffodil Show, April 3, Teackle Mansion, Princess Anne, Somerset County
- Herbs Herbs Herbs, April 17, Sinking Springs Herb Farm, Elkton, Cecil County
- The Garden Fair at Sotterley Plantation, April 24-25, Hollywood, St. Mary’s County
- St. Paul’s United Methodist Church Flower Fair, April 27-30, Cambridge, Dorchester County
- Flower and Plant Market, April 30-May 2, Union Mills Homestead, Union Mills, Carroll County
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Arts & Entertainment – Festival season begins
April is the first full month of outdoor festivals in Maryland. Charming and historic Berlin, just five miles from Ocean City, presents its annual Spring Celebration, April 3. Also on the Eastern Shore: the Salisbury Festival at Riverwalk Park, April 23-25. That same weekend, April 24-25, is the Spring Craft Festival and Tractor Pull at Anne Arundel Fairgrounds. And, April 29 - May 2, Leonardtown presents its Southern Maryland Spring Festival. |
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Art of the Chesapeake – A world of decoys
Only in Maryland: the 40th annual Ward World Championship Wildfowl Carving Competition and Art Festival runs April 23-25 at the Ocean City Convention Center. More than 150 varieties of bird carvings – decorative artwork to functioning decoys – are on display. Event includes: carving contests with $70,000 in prize money; workshops and seminars; 100 exhibitor booths; and a Saturday auction. A week later, April 30 – May 2, visit Havre de Grace Decoy Museum for its annual Decoy and Wildlife Art Festival. |
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Spring Fare – Hickory-smoked aromatherapy
Grilling season is back. Beer, Bourbon and BBQ – featuring 60 beers, 40 bourbons, lots of BBQ – is April 9-10 at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium. Event offers tastings, seminars and bluegrass music. Salisbury’s Pork in the Park BBQ Festival is April 16-18. More than 100 BBQ teams compete for a slice of the $128,000 in cash prizes. Live music abounds. |
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History & Heritage – Lifestyles across time
Museums and historic churches in Frederick open their venues with special attractions for Bell and History Days, April 10-11. For the grand finale of the weekend, eight local handbell choirs perform in concert. Marching Through Time, April 17-18 on the grounds of the Marietta House Museum in Prince George’s County, features 400 re-enactors who represent the Bronze Age to the 20th century. The annual 18th-Century Market Fair, April 22-25, at Fort Frederick State Park in Washington County, has re-enactors, magic and puppet shows, music, and artisans selling reproductions of period items. |
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