The Cincinnati Enquirer

Today: Pick up some practical advice at the Cincinnati Flower Show, running through Sunday at Coney Island.

As part of the show's Lecture Series, floral designer Pam Smith, director of marketing for Nature's Flowers in Miami, will discuss "Easy and Irresistible Stylish Decorating Solution" at 11 a.m. at Coney's Moonlite Pavilion.

IF YOU GO

What: Cincinnati Flower Show, presented by Provident Bank When: 9 a.m.-8 p.m. today-Saturday and 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. Where: Coney Island, Kellogg Avenue. Tickets: $15; $3 ages 3-12; $11 after 4 p.m. at the gate. Information: 872-5194, (800) 670-6808, www.flowershow.com. Miscellaneous: End-of-show sale of some props and plants will start at 6 p.m. Sunday.

Smith, known for using everyday flowers and containers from readily available sources, is former special events coordinator for Teleflora.

Lecture cost: $20 (includes show admission).

Topics tackled by professionals at the "Ask the Experts" booth today will be:

• 10 a.m.: Make Your Garden Party Invitations.

• 1-2:30 p.m.: Question-and-answer panel.

• 4-5 p.m.: Pruning Like a Pro demonstration.

• 6-7 p.m.: How to Make a Hypertufa Trough Garden.

This year's flower show, the first at Coney Island after years at Ault Park in Mount Lookout, has the theme "Growing Together."

Many of the exhibits celebrate Ohio's bicentennial year. The Spotlight Garden in the show's main exhibition tent, for example, is a red, white and blue tribute built around a nearly full- size barn painted with the bicentennial logo, just like artist Scott Hagan has painted on barns in each of the state's 88 counties.

There is a separate Ohio Pavilion coordinated by the Ohio Historical Society and the Federated Garden Clubs of Cincinnati and Vicinity. In the exhibit, artifacts provided by the historical society - farm machinery to Rookwood pottery - are paired with floral designs reflecting historical themes.

Other flower show exhibits include Dramatic Table Settings, window box and container garden displays and a Gardener's Market with more than 100 vendors from across the country.

Joy Kraft