The Philadelphia Flower Show opens on Sunday March
3 and runs through Sunday, March 10 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, PA.
The Philadelphia Flower Show is the oldest flower and garden show in the United States
and the largest indoor flower and garden show in the world attracting more than 250,000
visitors annually from across the country and the world.
The Show is produced by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. Founded in
1827, the PHS is the nation's oldest and foremost organization of its kind.
The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society's mission is to motivate people to improve the quality of life and create
a sense of community through horticulture. Working throughout the Philadelphia
region, PHS's Philadelphia Green program has helped thousands of residents
transform neighborhoods and gateways into vibrant spaces of learning and
inspiration.
The theme of this year's show is "The Pleasures of the
Garden." As stated in the show's press release this year's theme celebrates
"the sensual pleasures of the garden, inspired by nature and brought to
fruition by man, (which) will delight novices and experts alike."
Victorian charm and elegance rise amid fields of lavender and hydrangea in
the first of three theme related exhibits visitors will see upon entering the
Show. J. Cugliotta Landscaping, NJ, celebrates its 20th anniversary as one of
the Show's major exhibitors by creating a Victorian mansion and five gardens
devoted to each of the senses. At more than 7,000 square feet, this is the
largest single exhibit ever mounted at the Show.
The show, sponsored by PNC Financial Services Group, Inc., features 10 acres
with blooming gardens and thousands of specimen plants, whimsical topiary,
artistic flower arrangements, and miniature garden scenes by the nation's most
renowned horticulturists and designers.
For the indoor gardener, the Show offers more than 2,000 examples of plants,
collections, designs and flower arrangements in its Competitive Class division.
Amateurs from throughout the world enter their creations into a competition that
is judged throughout Show week. Ribbons and medals are presented in most
categories on the Show's first weekend along with trophies for the major garden
displays.
More than 300 free presentations conducted daily throughout Show week bring
the Show down to earth for home gardeners. Lively hourly demonstrations and
seminars by local experts take place in "Gardener Studios" in the Main
Exhibition Hall and in Lecture and Demonstration rooms along the Show's main
concourse.
The culinary artistry of area chefs is showcased in three presentations daily
under the direction of Chef Joseph Shilling of the Art Institute of
Philadelphia's School of Culinary Arts.
For the third year, Barnes & Noble is sponsoring a Garden Book Fair on
the bridge connecting the exhibit area to the Grand Hall. Visitors can attend
free lectures by this year's hottest gardening authors and have their books
autographed at daily book signings.
In addition you can find 140 vendors in the Garden Marketplace bringing the
garden to the visitor with pots and plants, cut flowers and garden structures,
patio furniture and ergonomically correct tools, all of the ingredients to
satisfy the most winter-weary among us.
Hours:
Sunday, March 3 and 10, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Monday, March 4 through Friday, March 8, 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 9, 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Admission/Fees:
Adults: Opening Sunday - $24
Weekends - $22
Weekdays - $20
Children under 12 - $10
Advance Sale $18.00
The Philadelphia Flower Show maintains an excellent website full
of valuable information. For more information check our "Elsewhere
on the Web" section.
Your Guide will be attending this year's Show and will be adding
a gallery of photos for those of you who are unable to attend. If, however, you
can get a chance to see the Show live, it is well worth the trip.
Take a look at some photos of this year's show at our Flower
Show Photo Gallery.
