PHOTO GALLERY: Walking on the wild side at NOTL’s spring flower festival
In a typical Canadian tableau, this moose stands tall outside the front doors of the Prince of Wales Hotel on Queen Street, part of the hotel's woodland theme for the flower festival. This display was put together by Clipping's Floral Design.
In a typical Canadian tableau, this moose stands tall outside the front doors of the Prince of Wales Hotel on Queen Street, part of the hotel's woodland theme for the flower festival. This display was put together by Clipping's Floral Design. DAVE VAN DE LAAR
Outside the Drawing Room of the Prince of Wales Hotel, Dmitry and Eugenia Kornyukhov and their sons, Daniel, 8, and Matthew, 5, are embedded in a woodland wonderland of flowers and critters like deers, foxes and squirrels. This display was created by Bloom & Co.
Outside the Drawing Room of the Prince of Wales Hotel, Dmitry and Eugenia Kornyukhov and their sons, Daniel, 8, and Matthew, 5, are embedded in a woodland wonderland of flowers and critters like deers, foxes and squirrels. This display was created by Bloom & Co. DAVE VAN DE LAAR
Check out the pink plumage on this quintet of flamingos — these lively creatures were set up at the Gardens at the Pillar and Post.
Check out the pink plumage on this quintet of flamingos — these lively creatures were set up at the Gardens at the Pillar and Post. DAVE VAN DE LAAR
This large monarch butterfly, 12.5 by 12.5 feet large, spreads its wings over the lawn of the McFarland House. This display was created by Niagara Parks.
This large monarch butterfly, 12.5 by 12.5 feet large, spreads its wings over the lawn of the McFarland House. This display was created by Niagara Parks. DAVE VAN DE LAAR
At the Pillar and Post's Gardens, these chickens may have flown the coop: this display by Clipping's Floral Design depicts a toppled truck spilling over with hens, chicks, hay and crates. It just goes to show you: don't count your chickens before they hatch.
At the Pillar and Post's Gardens, these chickens may have flown the coop: this display by Clipping's Floral Design depicts a toppled truck spilling over with hens, chicks, hay and crates. It just goes to show you: don't count your chickens before they hatch. DAVE VAN DE LAAR
One of Niagara-on-the-Lake's most recognized building, the old Courthouse on Queen Street, with cascading florals draping its facade (note the bright yellow watering cans at the top of the pillars). Fête Events designed this display.
One of Niagara-on-the-Lake's most recognized building, the old Courthouse on Queen Street, with cascading florals draping its facade (note the bright yellow watering cans at the top of the pillars). Fête Events designed this display. DAVE VAN DE LAAR
"Sophisticated Safari," by Mint & Magnolia, sees two giraffes adorned with bright and pale pink carnations grazing the front lawn of the Charles Hotel and Hob Nob Restaurant.
"Sophisticated Safari," by Mint & Magnolia, sees two giraffes adorned with bright and pale pink carnations grazing the front lawn of the Charles Hotel and Hob Nob Restaurant. DAVE VAN DE LAAR
The Irish Design's small and charming sheep hedge outside its shop on Queen Street reminds you where all that wonderful wool that makes their Irish knit sweaters possible comes from: Shauna and Maureen Dixon, the owners of the shop, are all smiles next to their new friend.
The Irish Design's small and charming sheep hedge outside its shop on Queen Street reminds you where all that wonderful wool that makes their Irish knit sweaters possible comes from: Shauna and Maureen Dixon, the owners of the shop, are all smiles next to their new friend. DAVE VAN DE LAAR
This pair of zebras have found their new home for the weekend outside Zee's Wine Bar & Grill on Picton Street. This display was created by BBBLooms Floral Studio.
This pair of zebras have found their new home for the weekend outside Zee's Wine Bar & Grill on Picton Street. This display was created by BBBLooms Floral Studio. DAVE VAN DE LAAR
Flowers, like all great things in life, are made for sharing: Jamie Drummond, general manager of the Pillar and Post, gifts three-year-old Ave Teague, accompanied by Farrah Kamsei, a few flowers from the display at the hotel.
Flowers, like all great things in life, are made for sharing: Jamie Drummond, general manager of the Pillar and Post, gifts three-year-old Ave Teague, accompanied by Farrah Kamsei, a few flowers from the display at the hotel. DAVE VAN DE LAAR
Flora and fauna together, just as they should be: this pup peeks out from behind the menagerie of flowers draped in front of the old Courthouse.
Flora and fauna together, just as they should be: this pup peeks out from behind the menagerie of flowers draped in front of the old Courthouse. DAVE VAN DE LAAR
Niagara Now

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Flora and fauna were in perfect harmony this past weekend in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

The town celebrated spring with the return of the NOTL In Bloom Festival: extravagant, wildlife-themed floral installations were set up across Old Town, bringing a bevy of botanical delights to town from Friday to Monday.

Whether it was the giraffe hedges adorned with carnations at the Charles Hotel, pink rosebud flamingos taking in the scenery at the Pillar and Post’s Gardens, or an elaborate draping of flowers cascading down the facade of the old Courthouse, almost every corner of the downtown core was a feast for the eyes.

The festival, held for the first time last year, included a variety of indoor and outdoor events, including seminars with florists and horticulturalists, a boutique vendor fair at the Pillar and Post, afternoon tea, the Birds of a Feather Gala dinner on Saturday and more.

Sixteen teams of floral designers from Niagara and the Greater Toronto Area were responsible for putting together the floral displays installed at several locations in town. A handful were from NOTL: Bloom & Co., June Floral & Garden, Clippings Floral Design and Lady Lavender Floral.

This year, two teams were declared the winners of two separate competitions — Bloom & Co., led by Kalin Falconer, won the outdoor installation comeptition for their selfie station that depicts a gathering of woodland creatures in a forest, and June Floral & Garden, led by Joanne Bassie, won best table setting at the Birds of a Feather Gala, which featured bird-themed table designs.

Check out the photos above of the festival in all its blooming beauty, taken by photographer Dave van de Laar.

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