Gardeners and home owners will get two shows for the price of one this weekend.

For the first time, the 17th annual Lawrence Garden and Home Show and Home Show 2002 will be on the same date and at the same location.

Ann Peuser stands among a new shipment of shrubs at Clinton Parkway Nursery and Garden Store, 4900 Clinton Parkway. Peuser is chairman of the 17th annual Lawrence Garden and Home Show, which runs Friday-Sunday at the Douglas County 4-H Fairgrounds.

The shows will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Douglas County 4-H Fairgrounds, 21st Street and Harper Avenue. The Lawrence Garden and Home Show will be in the arena, while Home Show 2002 will be in Building 21.

“We’re hoping that by joining with the home show we will get more (visitors),” said Ann Peuser, chairman of the Lawrence Garden and Home Show. “If they go to one show, they can get stamped and go to the next show.”

Bobbie Flory, executive director of the Lawrence Home Builders Assn., which is sponsoring Home Show 2002, also sees the advantages.

“It makes it more convenient for the consumer,” Flory said. “People who are looking for ideas for their new homes also have an interest in the environment (around that home).”

Peuser, who has helped organize the Garden and Home Show since 1987, said the arena will be filled with displays by 64 exhibitors. Last year’s show only filled about 75 percent of the venue.

“We will have displays with water that will be awesome,” she said. “There will be a 40-foot community flower bed in the center of the layout.”

Peuser said more than 2,000 floral plants will be displayed at the show. At 4 p.m. Sunday, the plants will be sold at below cost.

Booths will offer information on water gardens, lawn equipment, sunrooms, rock construction, concrete leveling, lighting, building inspections, tools, statuary, deck cleaning, spas, mud jacking, garden clothing and shoes, flowers, garden art and other topics.

Nonprofit groups, such as Wildcare Wildlife Rehabilitation, Master Gardeners Club and Audio-Reader, will be represented.

Peuser said the show will include a standard flower show, which is open to anyone who wants to enter. Categories include flower arrangement, table setting, green houseplant, blooming houseplant and dried flowers. Entries can be brought to the arena from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday and must be removed at 4 p.m. Sunday.

Seminars scheduled Saturday are:

l “Horticultural day trips in Douglas County,” by Karen Pendleton, 10 a.m.

l “Growing flowers and vegetables organically,” by Lynn Byczynski and Dan Nagengast, 11 a.m.

l “Water gardening Everything you need to know to design, plant and maintain a water garden,” by Justin Wood, 1 p.m.

l “Garden walls and patios: Exploring the materials and methods,” by Steve Hofmann, 2 p.m.

l “Groundcovers for any situation: Advice on how to grow, care for and use them to create a beautiful and enjoyable environment,” by Brian Henry, 3 p.m.

l “Trees: The framework of the garden,” by George Osborne, 4 p.m.

l “Composting: Easy methods for every gardener” by the Cox Family, 5 p.m.

Sunday’s seminars are:

l “Prairie stars: The best plants for Kansas,” by Bruce Chladny, 1 p.m.

l “The iris: Exploring this fleeting beauty,” by Carol Mitchell, 2 p.m.

Area 4-Hers will run a snack bar at the Garden and Home Show, and the Billy Spears Band will provide music Saturday and Sunday. Visitors will receive a free pansy plant, as long as the supply lasts.

Peuser said most exhibitors at the show don’t expect to make money but view the show as a way to get their name out to consumers.

“I’ve had people call a year or two later to find out the name of an exhibitor they saw at the show,” she said.

Flory said Home Show 2002 will showcase 40 exhibitors from the Lawrence area. Exhibits will have information on cutting-edge appliances, carpet installation, fireplace models, guttering installation, home remodeling, architects and home technology, such as computer wiring and home theaters.

The Lawrence Home Builders Assn. will give away more than $1,000 in prizes over the three days. In addition, many of the exhibitors will provide free samples or commemorative items.

“It’s a good opportunity to see the latest in home products and trends,” Flory said. “It’s a fun event to check out.”