Providence Journal photo / Glenn Osmundson
Flower-show goers walk through the Wild Plant Society exhibit at the Rhode Island Convention Center.
PROVIDENCE, RI -- The four-day, 20th annual Rhode Island Spring Flower & Garden Show came to a close Sunday at the Rhode Island Convention Center. People appeared to have gotten what they wanted: information and inspiration.
"Spring will come," said Dorothy Swift of North Kingstown. "It's cold, icy and muddy outside. Inside, it's bright with flowers and leaves, and a little bit of fragrance."
The smell of mulch met visitors; so did the sound of water, running and falling, and also birds chirping (from ceiling speakers). Otherwise, everything was actual, and a bit fantastical.
Water relentlessly streamed from the rear hatch of an SUV. Sand massed into a soaring birthday cake encircled by bears and turtles.