It’s been said that the Philadelphia Flower Show, the largest indoor flower show in the nation, is the precursor to spring’s arrival. At this year’s show (which wrapped Sunday), visitors experienced the whimsical heritage and cultural icons of Great Britain first-hand at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
The theme, “Brilliant!,” transported us across the pond with exhibits created by the nation’s top growers and designers celebrating the lush landscape and charming gardens of Great Britain, along with its rich history of pop culture and royalty.
Sponsored by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, the 184th Philadelphia Flower Show beautifully captured the “Best of British” theme with features such as the 38 ft. tall digitally enhanced rendition of Big Ben, cottage gardens, Royal table settings, the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, foggy London streets and a scene from The Beatles “Abbey Road,” to name a few.
It was a captivating experience — pictures simply cannot fully portray the sheer brilliance of this year’s show.
[left : visitors enter through Buckingham Palace’s Royal Gates / right : Big Ben surrounded by water gardens]
[The Lych Gate Garden display by the Garden Club of Wilmington]
[‘Pure Britain’ royal table setting by PURE Design of Philadelphia, PA]
‘Simply Fascinating’ : themed store window display’
[left : part of the Beatles ‘A Day in the Life on Abbey Road’ exhibit / right : store window display featuring the iconic London double-decker bus]
[left : ‘Hockney’s Haven’ by Chester County Art Association of West Chester, PA
right : colorful wheelbarrow sculpture surrounded by vertical garden exhibit by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society]
[the main PHS exhibit, assembled from reclaimed wood]
[vertical gardening : the benefits of gardening with eco-friendly peat]
[A rustic greenhouse is part of an English garden designed by Hunter Hayes Landscape Design of Ardmore, PA]
[Dutch shoes are part of the exhibit by the Netherlands American Business Association of Willow Grove, PA]
All proceeds from the show support both the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and their urban greening programs, including City Harvest – a citywide partnership that has grows and donates fresh produce to help feed families in need.
* photography by blair lindley
