Expo Center selected as American Garden Award host site | Events

LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) – The Kentucky State Fair Board is pleased to announce the selection of the Kentucky Exposition Center as one of 23 prestigious facilities from across the United States to serve as a host site for the 2011 American Garden Award. The expo center was chosen by the American Garden program based upon its outstanding reputation as a public garden for the number of events and visitors the facility hosts each year. 

“We are very pleased the Kentucky Exposition Center is included in the American Garden program,” said Harold Workman, president and CEO of the Kentucky State Fair Board, which manages the Kentucky Exposition Center. “Our horticultural and grounds staff works diligently throughout the year and it is because of their hard work our facility has a quality reputation with our patrons and various garden organizations.”

As part of this select group of public gardens, the Kentucky Exposition Center will display and maintain seven new varieties of plants and flowers that the world’s most prominent breeders have chosen to compete for the American Garden Award, which can be viewed and voted on by the general public. Prominently displayed and marked with American Garden Award signage in the front circle area near Freedom Hall, varieties include Dahlia ‘Dahlinova Hypnotica Lavender,’ Dianthus ‘Kahori,’ Ornamental Pepper ‘Uchu,’ Petunia ‘Easy Wave™ Neon Rose,’ Petunia milliflora ‘Picobella Rose Star,’ Scaevola ‘Surdiva® Light Blue’ and ‘SunPatiens® Variegated Spreading White.’

“This is only the third season of this participation-driven, interactive program and we are very proud to be part of its early stages,” said Vickey Hypes, horticultural sectional supervisor for the Kentucky State Fair Board. “Our staff continually strives to keep our gardens at the expo center in top shape and this season will be no different.”

Now through Wednesday, Aug. 31, the public is invited to view the seven entries for this year and vote online for the flower or plant they feel has the most appealing garden characteristics. The number of online votes will be taken into consideration when awarding this year’s American Garden Award in September to one of these seven varieties.  Patrons may visit the Kentucky Exposition Center website at www.kyexpo.org for and click on the American Garden Award icon for voting information and photos of the display area.

This year’s select entries for the American Garden Award will be available for purchase at the program’s participating garden center, Stephenson’s Garden Center and Nursery, located at 8136 Dixie Highway, Louisville, Ky.