Flower & Garden Show Brings Hint Of Spring To Chilly New Jersey

EDISON, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- Hundreds escaped the cold and looked forward to the sights of spring on Sunday at the 13th Annual New Jersey Flower & Garden Show.

As CBS2's Ilana Gold reported, there were tens of thousands of flowers -- every color and type you can imagine -- on display at the New Jersey Expo Center in Edison.

"I love flowers, I think they're magnificent," said Jean Martins, of Edison.

"This is our ability to experience spring early," said Denise Roberts, of Middletown. "(How badly do you need spring to come?) We need it badly, at least we're not in Boston."

For Roberts and her daughter, browsing through the expo has become a 10-year tradition.

"I think the landscape displays are above and beyond this year," said Roberts. (This is the best you've ever seen?) I would say so, yes."

The elaborate gardens, with the latest products and technology, give spectators some ideas to spruce up their own yards too.

"This really inspires you, motivates you," said Marika Dutot, of Gloucester City.

Avid gardeners spent hours taking plenty of pictures and notes, hoping to replicate the designs at home.

"I like the fireplace there. I like that fireplace, it's pretty neat," said Diana Bonny, of Keansburg.

Many of the visitors told Gold they showed up to get out of the bitter cold and for them, looking at the flowers is a good way to forget about the winter weather.

"It's beautiful and it's a hint of spring here, which gives you hope when it's snowy and breezy outside," Dutot said.

Now, those avid gardeners just need spring to get here quickly so they can see their own flowers start to bloom.

"I love them. I can't wait to start planting them; make the cold go away," said Bonny.

This year's theme at the New Jersey Flower & Garden Show was "The Great American Novel."