Waking up early to the song of birds outside in February is a small delight here. Enjoying a pretty mild winter with such an out-of-season sound is a welcoming revelation... Spring is just around the corner. With all of these 50 plus degree days, I would say it has already arrived!

So when the New Jersey Flower and Garden Show comes to Edison, we pack the camera, fill the tank and head down the turnpike to immerse ourselves in spring's creative splendor. This year the theme was Movie Classics. Gone With the Wind, The Wizard of Oz, and Caddy Shack were among the big screen films interpreted by the sponsored landscape artists and their companies. From paper machè rock walls to cotton snow landscapes dotted with live crocuses, these guys had to get real creative, real fast, setting stone pavers, creating ponds and "planting" trees to transform the concrete warehouse into an outdoor setting. Beside all the grand displays to walk through, color and texture packed a punch in smaller assortments on tabletop. Lots to see!

Some of our favorite displays were included in the Garden Club of New Jersey segment, where children's floral art and interpretation was featured. From Harry Potter magic wands to Breakfast at Tiffany's jewelry, all the juried entries displayed clever uses of plant materials in a parade of whimsy and originality. Headdresses echoing The African Queen inspired looks included vegetable components, beans, flowers, fruit and feathers.