Rockcastle River, Ky., native Jon Carloftis is glad he listened to his father who “forced” young Jon to explore the woods behind their home. His eventual love of all things green turned into a career as a nationally known gardener and writer forCountry Home/Country Garden and Garden Design magazines.

        Mr. Carloftis will share his expertise during the 33rd annual Cincinnati Home and Garden Show, next Saturday through March 4 at the Albert B. Sabin Convention Center, downtown. One of his topics will be small-space gardening.

The Seiler's Landscaping display last year included a fountain. | ZOOM |

        “Everyone has a small space,” Mr. Carloftis says, “whether it's an apartment with a balcony, a house in the city with a third of an acre or in the country on a 20-acre farm.

        “The most important garden is the spot where you entertain and that's what I focus on. Take a look at the space you have, determine how to use it and start giving definition to that space. You can use it to entertain or just escape from the day-to-day pressures.”

        Mr. Carloftis, who went “for the summer” to New York 12 years ago after graduating from the University of Kentucky, ended up staying to become a rooftop gardener in the Big Apple. He is working on a garden for actress Julianne Moore. Other clients have included Barbara and Eugene Schwartz, Sotheby's auction house, the Lauder family and actress-singer Bette Midler.

        “Moving to New York forced me to visualize green space on balconies and rooftop terraces,” he says. That focus eventually made him an expert on container gardening.

The Natorp display included a bronze sculture of a girl reading beside a dog. | ZOOM |

        Mr. Carloftis suggests people who want to define their small spaces as green havens start with container selection.

        “They're a good way of defining space,” Mr. Carloftis says. “Look at the corners of the area and enclose it using year-round containers. Instead of plastic, try terra cotta or large pots from flea markets.

        “Something great for this area is the use of trees to separate the living area from the rest of the garden. Trees like red bud, Japanese dogwood and robust green junipers are great.”

        What about apartment dwellers with balconies?

        “If you have a balcony, you can still define the area,” he says. “Put something bold out, like a pot of bamboo, which gives a lot of movement. And roses do great in containers.

IF YOU GO

What: 2001 Cincinnati Home and Garden Show     When: Next Saturday-March 4. Hours: 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m. next Saturday and March 3, 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Feb. 25 and March 4, 5-9 p.m. Feb. 27 and March 1, noon-9 p.m. Feb. 28 and March 2. Closed Feb. 26.     Where: Albert B. Sabin Convention Center, downtown.     Cost: $8.50, $2.50 children 13 and younger.     Tickets for March 3 luncheon featuring small garden expert Jon Carloftis, $50, must be purchased by Friday through the Civic Garden Center, 221-0981.     Information: 281-0022 or www.hartproductions.com

        “People should buy plants they like, something that evokes memories like the smell of boxwoods or the fragrance of a rose. Work with it and go with that feeling. A good garden should take you somewhere, transport you to a calmer time.”

        The goal of gardeners should be to make the world more beautiful, Mr. Carloftis says.

        “The world is getting uglier every day. When you're making something beautiful, you're making this concrete-block world prettier.”

        Mr. Carloftis will speak during a noon luncheon March 3, benefiting the Civic Garden Center, and during a panel discussion later that day at 4 p.m.

        This year's Home and Garden Show will showcase 500 exhibitors. Exhibit areas will include the Summer Living Pavilion, Flower and Garden, Fine Furnishing and Building and Remodeling promenades and a loan center sponsored by Fifth Third Bank.

        The show's 30,000 square feet of landscaped gardens will share a common theme — “The Secret Garden.” This flora fantasy will feature the handiwork of some of the Tristate's best landscape architects, landscapers and garden designers.

        New to the show this year: the Civic Garden Center's Garden Market and the Junior League's Gourmet Food Show.

        The Garden Market will offer home accessories from 130 select artisans. At the Gourmet Food Show, sample and/or purchase tempting tastes from gourmet food vendors. Both venues will be open March 2-4.
       

Homeowners turn to the sun
Concert review: Steve Earle
Dogwoods add color to winter scenery
Big ideas for small spaces
February, March full of special gardening events
To do this week
Get to it