Alaskan colors flourish at Alaska Botanical Garden Fair: the 9th Annual Garden Fair and Garden Art Show, which takes place during the peak of the summer growing season, promises plenty of visual and horticultural treats during the June 24 to June 25 event.

• Author: Pilkington, Steve
• Position: Alaska This Month

Taking in the best of Alaska's summer beauty at once is like trying to wade through a six-course gourmet meal, followed up by an impossible choice of rich desserts. It takes planning, patience and a love of the best and simplest things to get it done right.

For lovers of all things horticultural, the Alaska Botanical Garden this month offers the 9th Annual Garden Fair and Garden Art Show, which takes place during the peak of the summer growing season. And with a little luck, mixed with fresh rain and sunshine, the garden fair promises plenty of visual and horticultural treats during the June 24 to June 25 event.

The Alaska Botanical Garden-located at 4601 Campbell Airstrip Road-showcases arctic horticulture and native plants on a 110-acre spruce and birch woodland in the heart of Anchorage. With more than 1,100 species of hardy perennials, and 150 native plant species, the garden is a perfect place to see the abundance of the Arctic summer growing season and to learn about species native to Southcentral Alaska. Although growing Blue Poppies in an Alaska garden takes some know-how, sunshine and time, seeing them at the botanical garden is an easy way to enjoy their beauty on a summer day. From the novice to the horticultural specialist, there is plenty to learn from others.

The Garden Fair begins June 24th at 10 a.m. and is open until 6 p.m. Organizers are planning for specialists to speak to visitors and there will be music in the herb garden both days. There will be a juried plant show Saturday for alpine and rock plants, registration is at 9...