This year’s Hall of Flowers is a unique look at the magical world of the circus, with a spectacular floral circus. Instead of circus train cars full of wild animals, they will be full of wildflowers! The show is titled “Cirque des Fleurs,” French for “Circus of the Flowers.”

Color is abundant in the gardens this year. Taking center stage is a high-diving hippo, a 30’ tall two-headed giraffe ringmaster, a tight-rope cycling clown, and a giant rooftop garden. There will be a central fountain and other exciting water features.

Flower Show designer Greg Duncan and his crew will provide a themed ‘background’ for the show, including murals, water features, and thuge circus props that fill the center of the Hall.

Professional gardeners design their interpretations of different aspects of this year’s theme. Each is assigned a part of the building and a theme, which they will fill with plants and small props. This year’s professional exhibitors are Steven Rogina, Debbie and Marty Thorsson, Michael Golas, Elena Canett, and Tiffany Thorsson. Themes for the professional gardens are Acrobat Alley, Balancing Blossoms, Under the Big Top, Ringmaster Rendezvous, High-Wire Hi-jinks, Tumbling Territory, and Contortionist Corner. Professional Gardeners compete for colorful rosettes and cash prizes, which help to offset the cost of materials. The ‘Cirque des Fleurs’ theme will carry on into the Garden Courtyard, just outside the south end of the Hall of Flowers, where Junior and Amateur Gardeners work with assigned circus themes. All of these gardeners spend months planning their gardens. They then begin the installation of the gardens, requiring two or more weeks of work on site. Designer Greg Duncan recommends you check them out, saying “These gardens look more impressive every year.”  Nearby is the Mens Garden Club display of plants you can purchase for your home garden. There is a variety of plants, including a wide array of succulents.

 There will be waterfalls, volcanoes, and lots of circus fun, as our exhibitors have fun with the theme/ After seeing the sights, you can stop at an all-new bar for a break: Krazy Kevin’s Kocktail Korner. In addition to a selection of wine and beer, there will be circus-themed drinks for adults, including a cotton candy martini and circus beer. The Flower Show is free with Fair admission and opens at noon each day of the Fair. 

Monday, August 12 • 7 am to 1 pm

Imagine how some of the spectacular plants and props used in the Hall of Flowers would look in your home garden! The Flower Show Plant Sale is where you can purchase shrubs, grasses, trees, and flowers. Arrive early for best selection! The annual Hall of Flowers Plant Sale starts at 7 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 12, and continues until 1 p.m. There is no admission charge, and parking is free. If you are planning to purchase more than a few plants, you might want to bring a wagon or small cart. 

This year the adult and youth floriculture and horticulture entries – cut flowers, floral arrangements, potted plants, and wheelbarrow gardens – will be displayed in the Garden Building. You can enter from the Garden Courtyard or off of Magnoli Ave. Look for Adult and Youth cut flowers, flower arrangements, produce, potted plants and gimmicks. This year, in honor of the Fair’s circus theme, some entries feature clowns and other circus themess.

Plant Sale • Beekeepers • Advice • Wine

The Garden Courtyard is more than just a shortcut between Linwood Avenue (Mexican Village) and Maple Avenue (Shade Park). The Jackson Family Wine Lounge holds pride of place in the center, surrounded by Youth Garden Exhibits, Wheelbarrow Garden, and informational booths and displays. The Men’s Garden Club Plant Sale offers a variety of locally grown potted plants. Sonoma County Beekeepers Association display is a focus on sustainable beekeeping, education, and gardening for bees and pollinators. Master Gardeners will staff their display and be available to answer questions about local plants, pests, and more. Sonoma-Marin Saving Water Partnership will have small low-water demonstration garden.