OTTUMWA — What is being billed as the largest horticultural gathering in Iowa in more than a century is coming to Ottumwa.

The Iowa State Horticultural Society (ISHS) and other state horticulture organizations are sponsoring the inaugural All Iowa Horticulture Exposition at the Bridge View Center in Ottumwa, Iowa April 3-4, 2009. The Iowa State University Extension is also playing a role, along with area Master Gardeners.

ISHS President Gary Twedt announced the exposition at a recent ISHS annual business meeting in Ames. Expert speakers from Iowa State University Extension, Iowa State University Horticulture and other agriculture departments, members of various state horticulture trade organizations, media gardening personalities, and regional/state gardening club members will give continuous educational talks on a variety of horticulture/gardening subjects.

The exposition will include a trade floor with vendors representing almost every aspect of horticulture in Iowa, from products and equipment, to flowers and gardens, and the eco-environmental products among others. Plans include sampling of Iowa wines and other Iowa horticulture edible products.

Organizers hope the expo’s diverse multi-dimensional activities geared to the novice gardener as well as the professional will help distinguish this even from others in the region.

Early bird registration can be purchased as low as $5 per day. Registrations may be downloaded from the Iowa State Horticultural Society website by going to www.iowahort.org or registrations can be obtained from the local ISU Extension office.