"Ten Years - A Garden Party," is the theme for GardenScape 2001 where dozens of award winning gardens like this "hidden garden" from GardenScape 2000 will incorporate a party theme into their design.

In the past ten years, GardenScape, Greater Rochester's Flower and Garden Show has grown from a small trade show comprised of local landscapers and garden-related businesses in the Rochester area, to one of the most impressive flower and garden shows of its size in the northeast. And to celebrate, a garden party will be held March 15-18 at the Dome Center at GardenScape 2001. Produced by the Genesee-Finger Lakes Nursery & Landscape Association, an army of more than 200 volunteer members of the association transform the Dome Center in Henrietta, just outside downtown Rochester, from a cold, empty shell into a spectacular garden paradise in just two and a half days.

"Ten Years - A Garden Party," is the theme for GardenScape 2001, marking the tenth anniversary of this show in Rochester which is appropriately known as the "Flower City." Dozens of beautifully landscaped gardens complete with hundreds of varieties of fragrant flowers and plants, glistening streams, and cascading waterfalls provide an incredible backdrop to this breathtaking show. To commemorate the tenth anniversary, each garden will incorporate a party theme allowing guests to "attend" a variety of garden parties, including such unique parties as the "Hatter's Tea Party," or more traditional types of parties like birthday parties and housewarming parties.

In addition, more than 60 vendors and exhibits are on display including the Gardener's Square Marketplace where visitors can shop for garden-related items and crafts. New this year to the Gardener's Square Marketplace will be the "GardenScape Bookstore," featuring several gardening books by well-known authors and gardening experts available for purchase. Visitors to GardenScape 2001 will also enjoy some of the many daily seminars presented by nationally and locally known gardening experts held hourly during the four-day event. Co-chairing GardenScape 2001 are Mike Lemcke of RM Landscape, Hilton, and Mike Tanzini of Ted Collins Associates, Victor, both seasoned landscaping professionals and designers.

"We are constantly reviewing the latest trends in gardening and landscaping and incorporating them into each show. Whether you're a master gardener or just a lover of the outdoors, you can't help but to walk away with dozens of new ideas from GardenScape," says Mike Lemcke.

One of the most popular gardens at GardenScape is the interactive children's garden. "Swiss Family Robinson" is the theme for the children's garden at GardenScape 2001. Designed and constructed by volunteers from the New York State Certified Nursery Professionals program, the children's garden will include a desert island complete with lagoon and tree house. A play area for children along with a variety of activities including a scavenger hunt to identify various plants in the gardens on display at GardenScape are all part of the fun and learning experience at the children's garden.

A preview reception will be held on Wednesday, March 14 at GardenScape as a fund-raiser for the Epilepsy Foundation of Rochester. Supporters and guests are invited to preview the gardens before opening to the public on Thursday. A cocktail party and reception will be held, along with an awards presentation. Tickets are $25 and are available by calling (716) 442-4430. March 15-17, doors open daily at 9 a.m. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children 6-12, and free for children 5 and under. Seniors pay just $8 on Thursday, March 16. Call (716) 265-9018 for information or visit www.rochesterflowershow.com.