An Asian awakening will greet visitors to the 18th annual Newport Flower Show this weekend at the Rosecliff mansion on Bellevue Avenue.
The mansion�s front lawn will offer tranquil sanctuaries reflecting Eastern cultures. That culture will be reflected in all aspects of the show, including its renowned speakers, lectures and demonstrations.
Co-chairwoman Candace Morgenstern singled out the ambiance of the show as one of its main attractions.
�I love the happiness and the awe and the creativeness of everyone who enters,� she said.
Jocelyn Sherman, the third co-chairwoman, said the location sets this flower show apart from all the others.
Morgenstern said previous speakers have said they love to come to Newport.
�They tell their friends, �If you are ever asked to speak at Newport, be sure to go. You will love it,�� she said.
The show has become well-known to both national organizations it works with � the Garden Club of America and the National Garden Clubs, Morgenstern said.
Reflecting the cultures of India, Thailand, Japan, Korea, Cambodia and China, the front lawn will feature a selection of Asian trees provided by Bartlett Tree Experts, the show�s presenting sponsors. Eastern-themed gardens will be created on the front lawn by landscape designers from Rhode Island and nearby Massachusetts.
Besides the two featured luncheon speakers, free lectures and demonstrations will be offered throughout the weekend by plant experts, flower designers and gardeners.
Children have not been forgotten during the Flower Show.
The Roger Williams Park Zoomobile will present its Year of the Snake exhibit in the Children�s Tent. Origami, karate and Asian-themed kites also will be offered.
While Fernandez, Sherman and Morgenstern have worked as co-chairwomen of the Flower Show for the past five years, that partnership is ending. Sherman and Morgenstern are retiring after this year�s show.
�It�s absolutely time,� Morgenstern agreed.
�We�re leaving on a high � a real high,� Sherman added.
Both agreed that the show has greatly expanded during their five-year tenure. Expanding to the front lawn added a huge new dimension to the show. The number of designers and exhibits has increased and new classes have been added depth to the show.
Fernandez, however, will stay on as chairwoman and will be recruiting others to help out.
Sherman and Morgenstern promised to be back next year in some capacity. Both said they will submit entries next year.
�I expect they will be winning all the ribbons at next year�s Newport Flower Show,� Fernandez said.