Highlighting the milestone celebration will be displays of whimsical topiary designs from the past decade including popular "Fantasia" characters, spectacular floral flags and stars, and psychedelic blooming butterflies. The festival’s favorite topiary couple -- Mickey and Minnie -- will welcome guests in a 30-foot display depicting love, art and music through a topiary artist’s palette and a floral musical staff.

"The Epcot Flower & Garden Festival has been growing and getting better each year," said Brad Rex, vice president of Epcot. "As we celebrate the festival’s 10th year, guests of all ages will be delighted by the amazing flower displays, activities that are fun for kids, great music, and tips from some of America’s top gardening experts. There’s no better way to kick off the summer than this festival with something for the entire family to enjoy."

New for 2003 is Disney’s DogGone Maze. Youngsters will have a barking good time as they make their way through this interactive maze filled with their favorite Disney canine friends depicted in topiary including Pluto, Goofy, 101 Dalmatians and Lady and the Tramp.

Also making its debut is a unique look at history through America’s Timeless Trees, a display featuring descendents of famous trees -- from President George Washington’s Tulip Poplar to Elvis Presley’s Pin Oak.

Guests also can dig into the fun of these other festival highlights:

• International gardens, including newly designed gardens in Canada, more orchids than ever before blooming in Mexico, and bonsai creations at Japan.
• Garden demonstrations and daily events that include butterfly and ladybug releases, Turf Tips and a Salute to International Crops at The Land pavilion.
• The Great American Gardeners series presented by the American Horticultural Society. Popular gardening experts including Paul James of HGTV’s "Gardening By the Yard," P. Allen Smith of "P. Allen Smith Gardens" on The Weather Channel, and Rosalind Creasy, author of The Edible Garden Series books will be in attendance.
• Disney Gardening at Home, a series of informative presentations featuring tips from Disney horticulturalists. Topics that will be covered include Big Ideas, Small Spaces; Cooking and Gardening; Wildlife Gardening; and Welcome Home.
• The Flower Power Concert Series at America Gardens Theatre. Davy Jones of Monkees fame kicks off the festivities opening weekend. Other performers include Paul Revere & The Raiders, The Turtles featuring Flo & Eddie, Herman’s Hermits featuring Peter Noone, The Buckinghams, and Arlo Guthrie among a festival-long lineup of 14 acts.
• Guided tours. Epcot Garden Discoveries ($59) takes guests on a three-hour tour of special displays and the award-winning international gardens of Epcot. Guests can register at Guest Relations or call 407/WDW-TOUR. Behind the Seeds ($6) is a guided one-hour tour through the greenhouses at The Land pavilion showcasing the latest techniques used to grow more than 60 crops from around the world.

Except as noted, Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival activities are included in regular Epcot admission. For additional guest information, call 407/824-4321 or visit www.disneyworld.com.

And they’re coming back as some of the biggest hit makers of the era - Davy Jones, The Lovin’ Spoonful, Herman’s Hermits featuring Peter Noone, and Paul Revere & The Raiders among them - dominate a 14-act lineup for the 2003 Flower Power Concert Series this spring at Epcot.

Running concurrently with the 10th annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, Flower Power will feature concerts daily from April 25 through June 8. Performances are at America Gardens Theatre at 5:45, 7 and 8:15 p.m. and are included with regular Epcot admission.

Davy Jones, whose enormous success with The Monkees included three No. 1 hits, kicks off the series with concerts April 25-28. Here’s the complete schedule:

• April 25-28 - Davy Jones CDs
• April 29-May 2 - Starship featuring Mickey Thomas CDs
• May 3-4 - Felix Cavaliere’s Rascals CDs
• May 5-8 - Classic Rock All-Stars Sugarloaf, Iron Butterfly, Rare Earth, Headhunters CDs
• May 9-12 - Paul Revere & The Raiders CDs
• May 13-15 - Gary Lewis & The Playboys CDs
• May 16-19 - The Turtles featuring Flo & Eddie CDs
• May 20-22 - The Grass Roots starring Rob Grill CDs
• May 23-26 - Herman’s Hermits featuring Peter Noone CDs
• May 27-29 - Dave Mason CDs
• May 30-June 1 - Gary Puckett CDs
• June 2-3 - The Buckinghams CDs
• June 4-5 - The Lovin’ Spoonful CDs
• June 6-8 - Arlo Guthrie CDs

These artists and the groups they performed with produced 143 Billboard Top 40 singles during the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s - but never more prodigiously than from 1965 through 1968. Of their collective 71 singles that reached pop music’s top 10 list, 56 came during that timeframe. Twelve of those 56 hits went to the No. 1 spot for a combined total of 35 weeks, preempting the flood of hits from Motown artists and the ever-popular Beatles.

The most prolific hit makers among this year’s lineup: Herman’s Hermits featuring Peter Noone, with 18 top 40 singles between 1964 and 1968. Eight of the acts produced 10 or more top 40 singles.

• Roger Swain (April 25-26) -- Former host of PBS-TV’s "The Victory Garden," Roger Swain is known as the man with the red suspenders. Swain is the editor of Horticulture magazine and is an accomplished author. He will inspire guests as he explores gardening practices that help build strong neighborhoods and communities.
• Paul James (May 2-3) -- Host of HGTV’s "Gardening By the Yard," James uses his horticulture knowledge to live up to the name "the Gardener Guy." James answers gardening questions and provides helpful insights to this favorite pastime.
• Jim Hynd (May 9-10) -- The vice president and co-owner of Fiesta Parade Floats where he has been floral director for 30 years, Hynd will showcase amazing designs from the Tournament of Roses Parade. Fiesta Parade Floats is the leading builder of award-winning floats in the prestigious parade. An expert floral artist, Hynd has been a member of the American Institute of Floral Designers since it was founded in 1965.
• P. Allen Smith (May 16-17) -- Smith is seen across the country during his weekly syndicated TV show "P. Allen Smith Gardens" on ABC and during 90-second gardening tips on The Weather Channel. A certified fellow of the Royal Horticultural Society, Smith is committed to furthering the public’s awareness about the environment. He will demonstrate to guests how to create simple yet elegant and eye-catching garden elements.
• Rosalind Creasy (May 23-24) -- Creasy will show how easy it is to create "theme gardens." An accomplished garden photographer, landscape designer, popular lecturer and noted author, Creasy has twice received the Best Book of the Year Award from the Garden Writers Association for The Complete Book of Edible Landscaping and Earthly Delights: Twelve Distinctive Theme Gardens.
• Jeff Meyer (May 30-31) -- Meyer is the project director of American Forests’ Famous and Historic Trees. The project helps save and propagate trees of historic status around the world and supports programs to plant trees in cities and on damaged public land. A native of Jacksonville, Fla., Meyer will demonstrate to guests how to grow the country’s greatest trees in their own backyard.
• Rose Marie Nichols McGee and Maggie Stuckey (June 6-7) -- McGee and Stuckey are co-authors of the book The Bountiful Container, a guide to edible container gardening. McGee is president of Nichols Garden Nursery, one of America’s finest specialty seed companies, and author of the book Basic Herb Cookery. Stuckey is author of Gardening from the Ground Up and The Houseplant Encyclopedia. They will offer ideas for growing a bountiful kitchen garden of fruits, vegetables, herbs and edible flowers... in containers.

Grand Opening Weekend April 25-27

• The 10th annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival kicks off with an opening ceremony featuring Davy Jones of The Monkees.
• Roger Swain talks about great gardening practices as part of the Great American Gardeners series April 25-26 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
• Budding gardeners can enjoy the butterfly release on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m. and the ladybug release on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 12:30 and 2:30 p.m.
• Davy Jones gets the Flower Power Concert Series started at American Gardens Theatre. Show times are 5:45, 7 and 8:15 p.m.
• Marilynne Roland, the festival poster artist, will be signing the poster she designed.
• Rob Williams and Debbie Mola of Disney Horticulture offer creative ideas to transform small garden spaces into petal paradises as part of the Disney Gardening at Home series, Sunday, April 27, at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Art in the Garden Weekend May 2-4

• Guests can observe renowned artists at work while they capture the beauty of the Epcot gardens. There will be 12 artists at four locations around the promenade of World Showcase. Festival poster artist Marilynne Roland will be available to sign her piece.
• Paul James, host of HGTV’s "Gardening By the Yard," answers gardening questions and provides helpful insight to this popular hobby May 2-3 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
• Playing at the Flower Power concert is Starship featuring Mickey Thomas on May 2 and Felix Cavalier’s Rascals on May 3-4 at 5:45, 7 and 8:15 p.m.
• In addition to the ladybug and butterfly releases, Lulu the Bug Lady and Dr. A. Morphus visit the Kids Garden.
• The sculpture garden offers beautiful and artistic scenery for guests to enjoy.
• Jessie Mack Burns of Disney Horticulture and Chef Ken Hittman show how easy it is to turn edible landscape into a delicious home-grown meal Sunday, May 4, at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Mother’s Day Weekend May 10-11

• Gorgeous flower arrangements take center stage at the Mother’s Day Invitational Flower Show and moms are treated to a photo and a flower exclusively on Mother’s Day, May 11.
• Families can celebrate mom at the Mother’s Day Brunch May 10-11 at World ShowPlace. Times are 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Sunday. To make reservations call 407/WDW-DINE. Families can make the day even more special with Mother’s Day at four locations around World Showcase: Canada 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Germany and Norway 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; and in Future World near Innoventions 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
• On stage at the Flower Power Concert Series is Paul Revere & The Raiders at 5:45, 7 and 8:15 p.m.
• Peat Moss joins Dr. A. Morphus in the Kids Garden where the ladybugs and butterflies are being released.
• Jim Hynd, floral director of Fiesta Parade Floats, is on hand May 10 for the Great American Gardeners series at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the Festival Center.
• Walt Disney World florists demonstrate how to create whimsical designs for the table on Sunday, May 11, at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Fun for the Family Weekend May 17-18

• There’s lots of activity for budding gardeners throughout the festival including a special activity sponsored by Home Depot, appearances by Lulu the Bug Lady, Peat Moss and Dr. A. Morphus, and ladybug and butterfly releases.
• P. Allen Smith, host of "P. Allen Smith Gardens" on The Weather Channel, makes an appearance at the Great American Gardeners series May 17 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the Festival Center
• Open greenhouse tours are available for the family from 1-3:30 p.m. on May 17-18.
• The Turtles featuring Flo & Eddie are the Flower Power performers for the weekend. Show times are 5:45, 7 and 8:15 p.m.
• Jeff Thompson and Dawn Nason of Disney Horticulture offer guests tips on how to create gardens that are appealing to wildlife, Sunday, May 18, at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Memorial Day Weekend May 24-26

• Tom Wyatt and Ira Wileman from Disney Horticulture show guests how to take ordinary gardens to extraordinary gardens May 25 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
• Rosalind Creasy showcases themed gardens at the Great American Gardeners series May 24.
• The Kids Garden is active with visits from Lulu the Bug Lady and Dr. A. Morphus.
• Guests can get their official festival poster signed by artist Marilynne Roaland.
• Herman’s Hermits featuring Peter Noone take the stage at the Flower Power concert nightly at 5:45, 7 and 8:15 p.m.

I Dig Bugs Weekend May 31-June 1

• Guests discover how fun bugs are and how they keep gardens healthy.
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom Bug Zoo is on display at World Showcase.
• Jeff Meyer, author of America’s Famous and Historic Trees, appears at the Great American Gardeners series May 31 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
• Gary Puckett is the featured performer at the Flower Power Concert Series. Show times are 5:45, 7 and 8:15 p.m.
• Heather Will-Browne and Barry Stockwell demonstrate how to make a great first impression by spiffing up the front yard with a touch of green and a splash of color on June 1 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Closing Weekend June 6-8

• Rose Marie Nichols McGee and Maggie Stuckey talk about gardening in containers during the Great American Gardeners series June 6-7 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
• Arlo Guthrie closes out the Flower Power Concert Series at 5:45, 7 and 8:15 p.m.
• Disney Horticulture pros Heather Will-Browne and Barry Stockwell give tips on how to make the front yard more appealing on June 8 at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.

• Spiff up your front yard by adding colorful flowers around your mailbox -- select those that don’t require a lot of water so hose dragging is at a minimum.
• To grow vegetables in a container, select "bush" type plants. These are the plants that don’t climb (like a vine) when they grow or get too tall.
• Get advice from your local extension agent about plants that do well where you live.
• To avoid runoff problems, resist the urge to place a water garden at the low point of your garden.
• Know your insects -- the good and the bad -- so you don’t destroy one to control the other. Good insects include ladybugs and predatory mites. Bad insects include spider mites and mealy bugs.
• Stagger the planting dates of vegetables and flowers so you have a bounty of food and flowers throughout the season.
• Go native! Plant natives to cut down on water requirements and pest problems. Native plants are those that are indigenous to an area and not introduced.
• Invite wildlife into your garden by providing food sources, water and places for animals to seek shelter.
• Look for simple garden projects that can be done in a day to add interest to your garden such as creating a water garden in a bucket.
• Know the mature size of trees and shrubs before you plant them -- a small tree when purchased can cause problems years later if planted too close to house or driveway.

The 10th annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival at Walt Disney World Resort takes center stage April 25-June 8. Epcot will be abloom with beautiful bulbs, dazzling displays and favorite festival topiary. In addition to enjoying the scenery, guests can get advice from nationally known experts, get more tips from Walt Disney World horticulture staff, and get groovy with artists performing at the popular Flower Power Concert Series. All of these activities are included with regular Epcot admission.