Wikipedia

Philadelphia Flower Show

The Philadelphia Flower Show is an annual event produced by The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) and traditionally held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in early March.[1] It is the oldest and largest indoor flower show in the world,[2] attracting more than 250,000 people annually.[3] It has also been described as "the country's oldest, largest, and most prestigious celebration of flowers."

Philadelphia Flower Show
2017 Philadelphia Flower Show entrance.
FrequencyAnnual
Venue
Organized byPennsylvania Horticultural Society
Websitehttp://theflowershow.com

The show features large scale gardens, which range from elaborate landscaped displays to individual and club entries of a prize horticultural specimen. Each year, the PHS declares an official theme. The exhibits are submitted for judging in many categories, and are highly competitive.

A popular part of the show floor is the Garden marketplace where visitors can buy plants and seeds, cut flowers, craft items, and other flower, landscaping and horticulture-related items.[4]

The Show boasts fabulous floral and garden design, live entertainment, culinary events and extraordinary gardening how-to workshops and lectures by experts.

The June 2022 event will feature 40 major exhibitors, featuring the theme "In Full Bloom."[5]

In 2021 and 2022, the show was held outside in the summer at FDR Park due to COVID-19 pandemic. It returned to the Convention Center in March 2023 with the theme "The Garden Electric."

Competitors

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The amateur division of the show known as the Competitive Classes often have an assigned theme, related to the overall show theme. The 2007 Show, Legends of Ireland, featured Pressed Plant Material (i.e. dried flower pictures) that "incorporated a Celtic Knot." The first weekend's Medium Niche theme was Wish You Were Here "Exhibitors will be sent Irish postcards for inspiration. A copy of the postcard will be mounted next to the exhibit."[6] Entrants for that class typically have a mockup of the niche at home, where they practice assembling and lighting their entry in the months preceding the show. In a Challenge class, entrants bring only pruning shears, and must use show-provided materials to interpret a theme within a limited amount of time.[7] Three typical Horticulture classes are 142: Clivia, flowering. Pot 8" or under, 143: Clivia, flowering. Pot 8"-10", and 144: Clivia, foliage. (There was also a Clivia entered in 2007 under Exceptional plants 10–20 years old, to be judged against “perfection” for their species/cultivar.)

Seth Pearsoll, PHS director of design, stated the desired type of Flower Show participants:

We want designers who are firmly rooted in horticulture and great plant design, but who also are thinking about culture at large and how these designs relate to those issues. We want guests to be moved and delighted and to be changed, in some small way, by these gardens and the ideas behind them.[8]

History

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The international nonprofit organization Pennsylvania Horticultural Society was founded in 1827.[9] The site claims the PHS "uses horticulture to advance the health and well-being of the Greater Philadelphia region," and that their programs "create healthier living environments, increase access to fresh food, expand access to jobs and economic opportunity, and strengthen deeper social connections between people."[9]

In 1829, the first Philadelphia Flower Show was held[10][11] in a Freemason building.[11]^ The one-day exhibition showcased fruit, flowers, and plants.[11] This included the poinsettia, a plant then-newly imported from Mexico, which was exhibited by Colonel Robert Carr.[12] The Encyclopedia of American Folklife credits the flower show with introducing poinsettias as an American Christmas tradition,[13] as the festival introduced the plant to hundreds of Americans.[14]

There were no shows in 1917–18 nor 1942–45.[citation needed]

In 1925, the PHS joined the Florist Club, an association of local florist businesses. The 1925 show attracted 84,000 people. In 1927, Philadelphia Flower Show, Inc. was established; it assumed management of the Flower Show until the mid-1960s.[15]

In 1964, Philadelphia Flower Show Inc. halted production of the show due to difficulty finding a suitable exhibition location. The show returned in 1966, moving to the now-demolished Philadelphia Civic Center, where it remained each year until 1996, when it moved to its present location at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Today, PHS[16] contributes to the local economy and the green life of Philadelphia and the region. Proceeds from the Flower Show support thousands of revitalization projects in communities. In recent years, a youth division was added to the pressed flower category, with the most recent winner being Kendall Wolson, a 17-year-old student from New Jersey who created a scene depicting two bears catching fish in a river.

In 1981, total attendance was 230,000; 210,000 were guests who had paid admission, and the rest were exhibitors, judges, PHS members, and the press.[17]

The 2020 theme was "Riviera Holiday."[3]

In 2021, the Philadelphia Flower Show was held outdoors at Franklin Delano Roosevelt Park in June instead of its usual location at the Pennsylvania Convention Center due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This was the first time the Philadelphia Flower Show was held outdoors.[18] The 2022 show was also held at FDR Park.[19] In 2023, the Philadelphia Flower Show will return to the Pennsylvania Convention Center and will be held in March.[20]

Dates and themes

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Dates and themes
Year Date range Theme
2020 February 29 - March 8 Riviera Holiday
2019 March 2 - 10 Flower Power
2018 March 3 - 11 Wonders of Water
2017 March 11 - 19 Holland: Flowering the World
2016 March 5 - 13 Explore America
2015 February 28 - March 8 Celebrate the Movies
2014 March 1 - 9 ARTiculture
2013 March 2 - 10 Brilliant!
2012 March 4 - 11 Hawaii: Islands of Aloha
2011 March 6 - 13 Springtime in Paris
2010 February 28 - March 7 Passport to the World
2009 March 1 - 8 Bella Italia
2008 March 2 - 9 Jazz It Up!
2007 March 4 - 11 Legends of Ireland
2006 March 5 - 12 Enchanted Spring...A Tribute to Mother Nature
2005 March 6 - 13 America the Beautiful
2004 March 7 - 14 Destination Paradise
2003 March 2 - 9 Festival de Las Flores
2002 March 3 - 10 The Pleasures of the Garden
2001 March 4 - 11 Great Gardeners of the World
2000 March 5 - 12 Gardens for the New Millennium
1999 March 7 - 14 Design on Nature...the Art of Gardening
1998 March 1 - 8 La Passion du Jardin
1997 March 2 - 9 The Great Exchange - People, Places, and Plants
1996 February 25 - March 3 This Land is Your Land - "Philadelphia In Flower"
1995 March 5 - 12 Moments in Time...A Galaxy of Gardens
1994 March 6 - 13 Islands in the Sun
1993 March 7 -14 Preserving the Past, Presenting the Future
1992 March 8 - 15 Horizons for Discovery
1991 March 10 - 17 Endless Spring
1990 March 11 - 18 Purely for Pleasure...Gardens for the Senses
1989 March 5 - 12 Kaleidoscope...The Wonderful World of Color
1988 March 6 - 13 The World is Your Garden
1987 March 8 - 15 The Way We Were...Gardens from the Past
1986 March 9 - 16 Hometown USA
1985 March 3 - 10 A Touch of Britain...Our Garden Heritage
1984 March 11 - 18 A Trip to the Orient
1983 March 6 - 13 Follow the Sun
1982 March 7 - 14 Penn's Greene Countrie Towne
1981 March 8 - 15 N/A
1980 March 9 - 16 N/A
1979 March 18 - 25 N/A
1978 March 5 - 12 N/A
1977 March 13 - 20 N/A
1976 March 7 - 14 N/A
1975 March 9 - 16 N/A
1974 March 10 - 17 N/A
1973 March 11 - 18 N/A
1972 March 12 - 19 N/A
1971 March 7 - 14 N/A
1970 March 15 - 22 You and Your Garden
1969 March  9 - 16 Flowers Round the World
1968 March 10 - 17 N/A
1967 March 12 - 19 A Carnival of Flowers
1966 March 12 - 17 Natural Beauty in Town and Country
1965 March 13 - 18 N/A
1964 March 8 - 14 An Abundance of Flowers
1963 March 10 - 17 N/A
1962 March 11 - 18 Garden Bounty
1961 March 5 - 11 N/A
1960 March 7 - 12 Dancing Waters

Previous dates extend to 1829, but PHS did not record their dates and themes in the above listing.[21]

Historical art and photographs from 1829 to present relating to the PHS's Flower Show can be found on the Digital Archives of Pennsylvania Department of Education.[21]

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  •  
    2009 Philadelphia Flower Show
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    2010 Philadelphia Flower Show
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    Carousel animal, 2011
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    Dolphin, Eiffel Tower, 2011
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    Flowers, 2011
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    Boat of flowers, 2011
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    Green Wall, 2011
  •  
    Philadelphia Flower Show 2015
  •  
    2015 Philadelphia Flower Show
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    2015 Philadelphia Flower Show
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    2017 Philadelphia Flower Show

References

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  1. ^ Schultz, Patricia (2016-11-29). 1,000 Places to See in the United States and Canada Before You Die. Workman Publishing. ISBN 978-0-7611-8971-8.
  2. ^ "The oldest and largest indoor flower show in the world: The Philadelphia Flower Show". Gardens Illustrated. Retrieved 2022-06-01.
  3. ^ a b Chase's, Editors of (2019-09-24). Chase's Calendar of Events 2020: The Ultimate Go-to Guide for Special Days, Weeks and Months. Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN 978-1-64143-316-7. {{cite book}}: |first= has generic name (help)
  4. ^ Marketplace Vendors Archived 2007-03-04 at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ "PHS Announces Exhibitors for the 2022 Flower Show". phsonline.org. Retrieved 2022-06-01.
  6. ^ How to Enter Competitive Classes Archived 2007-02-25 at the Wayback Machine
  7. ^ Individual & Club Entries Archived 2007-03-07 at the Wayback Machine
  8. ^ Comegno, Carol. "More women designing gardens at this year's Philadelphia Flower Show". Courier-Post. Retrieved 2022-06-01.
  9. ^ a b "PHS Announces Exhibitors for the 2022 Flower Show". phsonline.org. Retrieved 2022-06-01.
  10. ^ Mickey, Thomas J. (2013-04-17). America's Romance with the English Garden. Ohio University Press. ISBN 978-0-8214-4452-8.
  11. ^ a b c Society, The Pennsylvania Horticultural (2014). The Philadelphia Flower Show. Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4671-2099-9.
  12. ^ Warren, Leonard (2009-06-29). Maclure of New Harmony: Scientist, Progressive Educator, Radical Philanthropist. Indiana University Press. ISBN 978-0-253-00330-0.
  13. ^ Bronner, Simon J. (2015-03-04). Encyclopedia of American Folklife. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-317-47194-3.
  14. ^ Taylor, Judith M.; Lopez, Roberto G.; Currey, Christopher J.; Jan, Jules (2011). "The Poinsettia: History and Transformation" (PDF). Chronica Horticulturae. 51 (3): 23–27.
  15. ^ "Philadelphia Flower Show Slide and Photograph Collection :: Pennsylvania Horticultural Society - Archive Collections Guides". digitalcollections.powerlibrary.org. Retrieved 2022-06-02.
  16. ^ History of the Philadelphia Flower Show Archived 2005-11-01 at the Wayback Machine
  17. ^ Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (1981). Yearbook of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. McLean Library Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. Philadelphia: Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.
  18. ^ Conde, Ximena (December 8, 2020). "The Philadelphia Flower Show will make outdoor debut at FDR Park in 2021". Philadelphia, PA: WHYY. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
  19. ^ "2022 PHS Philadelphia Flower Show Location, Dates, and Theme are Announced". phsonline.org. Retrieved 2022-06-01.
  20. ^ Staff (September 30, 2022). "Philadelphia Flower Show will return to the Pennsylvania Convention Center in 2023". Philadelphia, PA: WPVI-TV. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
  21. ^ a b "What are the Philadelphia Flower Show themes of past years? - ask PHS". pennhort.libanswers.com. Retrieved 2022-06-02.
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