People with green thumbs or just an interest in gardening have plenty to do this weekend.
Then Aiken Garden Show will be 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Aiken County Historical Museum.
Tickets, which can be purchased by going to aikengardenshow.org, are $20 in advance or $25 the day of. All proceeds benefit the Aiken Garden Club Council.
Tommie Culligan, of the Aiken Garden Show Committee, said there will be something for everybody during the two days: self-guided tours of eight, private local gardens; speakers; a book-signing; and dueling designers.
"The dueling designers are really neat," Culligan said. "During one, two women will use the same materials to create their own style of a miniature fairy garden. We encourage them to do a little chit-chat back and forth. It shows how they use the same materials and come off with a different look. Then we auction off the gardens."
There will be a second dueling designers in which two designers will make different arrangements from the same store-bought flowers. The arrangements will be auctioned off, as well.
Vendors from all over the country will be on hand to sell gardening-related items.
One speaker, Buddy Lee, who bred the Encore Azalea, will discuss the newest plants being introduced.
Lisa Kessler will be talking about eating, growing and cooking with herbs.
"She uses herbs for well-being, too, not just flavor," Culligan said.
Speaker Karen Oliver, of Louisiana, will talk about How City Boys and Girls Fell in Love with Backyard Chickens.
"They have a neat 'upscale' chicken coop," Culligan said, complete with a Louisiana State University roost.
"The highlight for many people is the private gardens," Culligan said. "I truly feel, this year, we have some truly over-the-top gardens, one even the men will love. It has a five-level waterfall with plants that attract birds and butterflies."
Included will be a 9-acre garden; some smaller ones and some that were started in the 1920s.
Ticket-holders must stop at the museum first to get a map to the private gardens. They can then either drive themselves or take a city shuttle bus to the homes.
For more on the show, including other speakers, a schedule, sponsors and activities, visit aikengardenshow.org, call Culligan at 803-641-6777 or send email to tlculligan@atlanticbb.net.
Dustin Turner is the news editor for the Aiken Standard.