TORONTO, Ont. – Say hello to spring — Canada Blooms is flourishing at the Direct Energy Centre.

“You walk in and the smell of spring and summer on a beautiful day in Toronto is already taking place,” said Gerry Ginsberg, general manager at Canada Blooms.

The 17th annual Canada Blooms — the largest flower and garden festival in Canada — began Friday and will run until March 24.

Everything a seasoned gardener or newbie could want is at the festival, according to gardening specialist Mark Cullen.

“This is definitely a place to go if you’re looking for ideas, for inspiration, for advice,” he said.

“We have master gardeners that are here answering gardening questions.”

Cullen encourages show-goers to bring a digital camera to capture ideas.

There is a large marketplace and tons of speakers, covering topics such as low maintenance gardening and increasing curb appeal.

Citytv’s Frankie Flowers said an emerging trend in gardening this year is green and white as primary colours.

“It’s all about simplicity right now,” he said.

“I think if there’s one thing that’s really caught my eye is now how we’re going back to more simplistic things in the garden.”

He also said don’t get discouraged if you don’t have a green thumb.

“We’ve all killed plants before so don’t worry,” he said.

“Everybody that you see at Canada Blooms has killed a plant before. Don’t be intimated.”

Canada Blooms is sharing space with the National Home Show so you can attend both events.

Ticket prices are $20 for adults, $17 for seniors, $16 (age 13 to 18) for students, and free for children under 12.

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