Philadelphia Flower Show

Philadelphia Flower Show. The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society has organized the event since its inception in 1829, making it one of the oldest and most prestigious flower shows in the world, with attendees including Martha Stewart, Lady Bird Johnson, and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. The show has been held at various locations throughout its history, including the Academy of Music (Philadelphia), Memorial Hall (Philadelphia), and currently, the Pennsylvania Convention Center. It has also been featured in various media outlets, such as The New York Times, National Geographic, and Garden Design (magazine).

● History

The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society was founded in 1827 by a group of Philadelphia horticulturists, including William Hamilton (botanist), Bernard McMahon, and John Bartram. The first flower show was held in 1829 at the Masonic Hall (Philadelphia), with the goal of promoting horticulture and showcasing the latest developments in the field, as seen in the works of André Le Nôtre and Lancelot Brown. Over the years, the show has evolved to include a wide range of exhibits, from rose and orchid displays to landscape architecture and garden design, with influences from Versailles, Kew Gardens, and Central Park. The show has also been influenced by various World's Fairs, including the 1876 Centennial Exposition and the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition.

● Description

The Philadelphia Flower Show is a nine-day event that takes place every March, featuring over 1 million square feet of exhibit space, with displays created by top florists, landscape architects, and garden designers from around the world, including Norman Foster, Frank Gehry, and Zaha Hadid. The show includes a variety of exhibits, such as the Grand Exhibit, which features large-scale displays of flowers, trees, and shrubs, as well as the Floral Design exhibit, which showcases the work of top floral designers, including Constance Spry and Calvin Klein. The show also features a Marketplace where attendees can purchase plants, gardening supplies, and home decor items from vendors such as Smith & Hawken, West Elm, and Crate & Barrel.

● Exhibits

The Philadelphia Flower Show features a wide range of exhibits, including displays of cut flowers, container gardens, and landscape designs, with influences from Japanese gardens, English gardens, and French gardens. The show also includes exhibits on sustainable gardening practices, such as rain gardening and permaculture, as well as exhibits on garden history, including the works of Gertrude Jekyll and Beatrix Farrand. Some of the notable exhibits in recent years have included displays by Longwood Gardens, The New York Botanical Garden, and the United States National Arboretum, as well as exhibits featuring the work of Piet Oudolf and Dan Kiley.

● Impact

The Philadelphia Flower Show has a significant impact on the horticulture industry, with many nurseries, gardening supply companies, and landscape architecture firms showcasing their latest products and services, including Proven Winners, Monrovia Nurseries, and OLIN. The show also provides a platform for horticultural education and community outreach, with many workshops, lectures, and demonstrations taking place throughout the event, featuring experts such as Michael Dirr and Allan Armitage. The show has also been recognized for its economic impact on the city of Philadelphia, generating millions of dollars in revenue each year, with support from organizations such as the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce.

● Organization

The Philadelphia Flower Show is organized by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting horticulture and conservation in the Philadelphia region, with partners such as the Fairmount Park Conservancy and the Schuylkill River Development Corporation. The show is planned and executed by a team of event planners, horticulturists, and volunteers, with support from sponsors such as Subaru of America and Bank of America. The show is also supported by a variety of committees, including the Exhibitor Committee, the Judging Committee, and the Volunteer Committee, with members from organizations such as the American Society of Landscape Architects and the National Gardening Association.

Category:Flower shows