Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Flower Show Kicks off with Holland: Flowering the World
Photos, story by Tiffany Dubois
For 2017 the PHS Philadelphia Flower Show will be featuring the land of tulips, “Holland: Flowering the World”, with a celebration of the beauty and ingenuity of Dutch culture, from the vivid and vibrant flower fields to innovative eco-design. Visitors will pass under a brick bridge inspired by the Amsterdam cityscape that will be decorated with Delft tile patterns, overflowing flower boxes and hanging baskets. A floral canopy will also be on display above the Entrance Garden with more than 6,000 fresh-cut and dried flowers hanging down from multi-colored strings above the heads of visitors.
During the press junket held back in February at the Logan Hotel, Sally McCabe, Associate Director of Community Education, hosted the plant and take exhibit which is being featured during the flower show. I had the opportunity to speak with her about the succulent plants and also got to make my own flower crown. Ms. McCabe was more than happy to volunteer because she gets to explore her more creative side to her art as a horticulturist.
One of the guest speakers at the press junket was Joanneke Balfoort, Deputy Chief of Mission, Royal Netherlands Embassy. She unveiled a new species of tulip during her speech. As a side note, this new flower, pictured below, has not been named yet and Mayor Jim Kenney will receive the honor of naming this new flower. It will also be available for purchase during the flower show.
Some new attractions to this years’ flower show include a World Flower Market and The Garden Spa. At the World Flower Market, visitors will be able to shop, relax in a beer garden, take in live floral competitions and test their DIY skills. At the Garden Spa, visitors can enjoy a massage or create their own oils or potpourri.
The Ecodome will also be making an appearance at the flower show. The convention center will be the first venue in North America to welcome the dome. The Ecodome is currently being transported via boat and will be constructed inside the convention center once it arrives. This is a rare piece of architecture due to the fact that it is completely self- sustaining. The top panels are covered with moss that help filter vehicle exhaust from the air. It also features solar energy, the ability to convert rain into drinking water, climbing plants, fruit trees, herbs and other edible plants.
What dog doesn’t like a garden? The flower show invites gardeners four-legged friends to roam the exhibitions halls and enjoy the wonderful scenes and scents on Friday, March 17th. “Yappy Hour” will be held on this date from 6-8 p.m. at the World Market in the Grand Hall. Dogs don’t require a ticket but humans still do.
On Friday, March 10th, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society will host a preview party at the convention center. This black-tie event will benefit PHS and their mission to transform people’s lives in Philadelphia communities. Their mission being to have people of all backgrounds come together to tend community gardens, plant trees, green vacant lots and create and maintain iconic public landscapes.
Since the start of the flower show by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society in 1829, the show introduces the newest plant varieties, garden and design concepts, and organic and sustainable processes. The PHS Philadelphia Flower Show runs from March 11 to 19 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Major sponsors include Subaru, Bank of America and the Dutch government.
