Philadelphia’s 2018 Flower Show Just Adds Water

View from my hotel room’s window is reminiscent of an impressionistic painting, This is exactly what greeted VIP attendees, who attended the show a day before public-opening on March 3rd. Winter could have not been more old man-wintry … an ironic juxtaposition to a flower show.

“Flowers rewrite soil, water and sunshine into petal’d poetry – Terri Guillemets

Story, photos by Sharon Kozden

There’s just something so wrong about attending the Philadelphia Flower Show on March 2nd, while the single most bad-ass storm of winter, 2018 had its ‘old man’ expressing rage like rarely before. A 30-year resident of Philadelphia stated it was the worst he’d seen in his entire time there. And that’s all I’m going to say about it because, let’s face it, we none of us want to recall its downright meanness. We’d much rather enter the Pennsylvania Convention Center and meander about, while waxing hopeful about spring being eminent. Agreed?

Seems this post is more photo-centric, so I’ll mostly let the pictures to do the proverbial talking. I have a couple of paragraphs of salient details to share, yet the focus and crux will (and should be) on giving readers an opportunity to gape at views of Mother Nature … all made possible with heaps of help from the Philadelphia Horticultural Society, generous sponsors, attendees and oh, say, around 3,000+ volunteers.

From March 3rd through the 11th, the public was treated to a show that, according to the presenting organization, The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, would celebrate “the beauty and life-sustaining interplay of horticulture and water.”

PHS was founded in 1827 and is a not-for-profit agency that aims to join people with horticulture to ultimately benefit communities with beauty and sustainability through their connection. It is comprised of a varied array of groups, whose interests all intersect with the program’s mission. Volunteers, supporters of PHS, funders and partner organizations form its foundation. Definitely don’t discount your role as show attendee in its aims and mission. PHS President Matt Rader states, “We are very grateful for the amazing support we receive through the Flower Show and its impact we see every day on so many lives.”

Before moving on, a massive shout-out to the show’s sponsors, those being Subaru of America, Inc. as the premier sponsor and Bank of America as exclusive sponsor. There are a host of others, all worth the same applause and appreciation for their contributions.

Here’s where I briefly describe what the following photographs visually represent. Take a tour of the show vicariously through them. Take it slow, for there truly is much to take in. The sheer volume and breadth of displays, their arrangements and more is mind-boggling. I’m not waxing hyperbolic when I say it’s reminiscent of one of the ‘Wonders of the (Water) World.”

Enter via a spectacular towering rainforest that’s hard to distinguish from the real deal. It’s all there: waterfalls, bamboo walkways, structural support and foundation, rope bridges, mists, caw-calls and every imaginable rainforest inhabitants’ sounds. The waterfall itself cascades 25 feet down this bamboo creation. A sensory feast, indeed!

Once you exit the rainforest masterpiece, venture in any direction to begin your adventure. You’ll encounter vendors, displays to write home about, informative programs taught by avid and passionate experts, unique and unusual gifts for those on your gifting lift who seemingly have everything. Bet they don’t have lavender shortbread cookies! But I’m giving nothing further away. Make like Dick Van Dyke and jump into the photos below for the total (as total as I could provide without 2,000 pictures) experience.

The 2018 PHS Philadelphia Flower Show was hands-down incredible on every imaginable level. Even if Old Man Winter decides to bear down like some bully in 2019, I’m still there, for the show is that special and memorable. In fact, it is “the nation’s largest and longest-running horticultural event, and features stunning displays by the world’s premier floral and landscape designers.” Flower Power that!

For more information about The Philadelphia Horticultural Society, visit PHSonline.org

Whoever designed this poster, I doff my lid to; it is-theme-wise- perfectly representative. The glorious color burst done in watercolor medium is simply stand-out.

From left, Sharon Kozden and flower show guide burst purple and pink from verdant foliage.

Now that’s a display worthy of so many floral magazine cover shots!

The hits keep on coming. I could just sit atop that barrel and soak (literally!) for hours in these stunning surroundings.

Whoa: now that’s one towering flowering!

Explanatory signs are always welcome.

Whatchu see, little one? Whatchu point at? Hiya, Mommy! Your little man is adorable and thoroughly transfixed by … I’m guessing water movement?

Here’s a sample of several countries’ displays at their grandest.

My interpretation of a segment of ceiling installation: water stopped in motion, shoots of rays of water. I could not keep from staring at it, slack-jawed.

This beautiful grouping of orchids is visually arresting.

For a change, I’m speechless confronted by such natural beauty.

That’s the most striking hue of purple I’ve yet to fawn over.

Of the many varieties of tulips on display, these struck me and stuck in my imagination the most. Spiky lil’ petals. Very punk. Shades of Billy Idol. Maybe that’s what the variety is named.

Bonsai tree (and more) sellers pose among their floral wares.

You don’t say? I’d always wondered what constituted judging criteria.

These show-stopping award ribbons are ready and worthy to grace the winners.

Because I have a feline at home, I must admire real flowers from afar. It’s called compromise. That said, today’s faux orchids aren’t your Mothers’ decade’s fake plants.

Pretty is a peony in pink.

Glorious display of all manner and variety of cacti interspersed between massive stones.

Thanks, sign: were it not for you, I’d never have known to avoid resting my tired self on your comfy-looking self. *chuckle*

Sexy succulents!

A pyramid walkaround display is a great way in which to discover the unique shapes and particular beauty of succulents.

Falling water. Not the Fallingwater, as in Frank Lloyd Wright, clearly, but I do believe he would’ve thumbs-upped this.

My jaw dropped on turning a corner to find this sight … no doubt I wasn’t in the minority in that regard.

This is one head-turning cascade of Ma Nature’s finest butterflies.

My eye initially sees the poise in the pose, followed by the ultra-cute ‘pom-poms’ as background.

Y’all got me: there had to be one ‘fascinator’ among so many I’d be partial to, and this is it! Don’t hate me that I posted five (count ’em!) photos of that which totally captured my garden-girl’s soul and imagination. Rather, love me more! *chuckle*

Now these are right up one of my garden’s row. Um, make that, like, ten rows … for good measure.

Incredible edibles. Nom-a-nom-nom!

Those incredible edibles captured in a drop-dead gorgeous display, which my inner judge screams, “Give that a first-place ribbon, stat!”

Le crème de la feline! Cat-lady here, so you know where I’ll be shopping for my cats’ dope.

Among others, Martha Stewart made a speaking appearance here. A schedule of daily events was posted, so folks could come, sit and learn everything A to Z about flowers, gardening and more.

A designer’s studio schedule offers times to learn and expand your knowlwdge.

Were it not for the fact that my sister-in-law has the equivalent of a ‘black belt’ in this floral technique and interpretation, I’d not have a clue what it is-until this show, that is.

My sister-in-law crafts her creations in SoCal and claims there is a different Ikebana aesthetic between the coasts. Whatever the difference, they must be equally magnificent, as is this creation.

Where to begin waxing rhapsodic? Colors, composition, arrangement … the whole shootin’ match!

This young woman is-as the plants and flowers that surround her-a natural beauty.

Who wants to leave the rat race and birth a lavender farm? Who’ll join me walking in fields of lavender a la Sting’s ‘Fields of Gold.’

What?! Alone, all four are splendid. The combination, however, begs inclusion in my daily diet. It also is the perfect gift for anyone who has everything.