Philadelphia Flower Show
{{Short description|American horticultural event}}
{{Infobox recurring event
| name = Philadelphia Flower Show
| image = 2017 Philadelphia Flower Show 2017-03-09 113i entrance setup (33782253992).jpg
| caption = 2017 Philadelphia Flower Show entrance.
| frequency = Annual
| venue = *Pennsylvania Convention Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
| organizer = Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
| URL = http://theflowershow.com
| website = https://phsonline.org/the-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.{{Cite book |last=Schultz |first=Patricia |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=j9GACwAAQBAJ&dq=%22philadelphia+flower+show%22+1829&pg=PA223 |title=1,000 Places to See in the United States and Canada Before You Die |date=2016-11-29 |publisher=Workman Publishing |isbn=978-0-7611-8971-8 |language=en}} It is the oldest and largest indoor flower show in the world,{{Cite web |title=The oldest and largest indoor flower show in the world: The Philadelphia Flower Show |url=https://www.gardensillustrated.com/events/the-philadelphia-flower-show/ |access-date=2022-06-01 |website=Gardens Illustrated |language=en}} attracting more than 250,000 people annually.{{Cite book |last=Chase's |first=Editors of |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6dKpDwAAQBAJ&dq=%22philadelphia+flower+show%22+1829&pg=PA151 |title=Chase's Calendar of Events 2020: The Ultimate Go-to Guide for Special Days, Weeks and Months |date=2019-09-24 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |isbn=978-1-64143-316-7 |language=en}} It has also been described as "the country's oldest, largest, and most prestigious celebration of flowers."
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.[http://www.theflowershow.com/attractions/vendors.html Marketplace Vendors] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070304190237/http://www.theflowershow.com/attractions/vendors.html |date=2007-03-04 }}
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."{{Cite web |title=PHS Announces Exhibitors for the 2022 Flower Show |url=https://phsonline.org/the-flower-show/press/news/phs-flower-show-exhibitors |access-date=2022-06-01 |website=phsonline.org |language=en}}
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
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."[http://www.theflowershow.com/attractions/exguide.html How to Enter Competitive Classes] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070225112235/http://www.theflowershow.com/attractions/exguide.html|date=2007-02-25}} 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.[http://www.theflowershow.com/attractions/amateurentries.html Individual & Club Entries] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070307130647/http://theflowershow.com/attractions/amateurentries.html|date=2007-03-07}} 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.{{Cite web |last=Comegno |first=Carol |title=More women designing gardens at this year's Philadelphia Flower Show |url=https://www.courierpostonline.com/story/life/2022/05/11/philadelphia-flower-show-2022-women-designers/9671475002/ |access-date=2022-06-01 |website=Courier-Post |language=en-US}}
History
The international nonprofit organization Pennsylvania Horticultural Society was founded in 1827.{{Cite web |title=PHS Announces Exhibitors for the 2022 Flower Show |url=https://phsonline.org/the-flower-show/press/news/phs-flower-show-exhibitors |access-date=2022-06-01 |website=phsonline.org |language=en}} 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."
In 1829, the first Philadelphia Flower Show was held{{Cite book |last=Mickey |first=Thomas J. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EAUhK8rptIcC&dq=%22philadelphia+flower+show%22+1829&pg=PA76 |title=America's Romance with the English Garden |date=2013-04-17 |publisher=Ohio University Press |isbn=978-0-8214-4452-8 |language=en}}{{Cite book |last=Society |first=The Pennsylvania Horticultural |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DJeiAgAAQBAJ&q=1829 |title=The Philadelphia Flower Show |date=2014 |publisher=Arcadia Publishing |isbn=978-1-4671-2099-9 |language=en}} in a Freemason building.{{Note|Multiple sources claim it was the Freemason building on Chestnut Street, which was built in 1809. However, according to "The Fiery Fate of Philadelphia's First Masonic Hall," that building burned down in 1819 - there are dated engravings illustrating its fire. Another masonic hall was not built until the 1850s. Therefore, it must be assumed that the sources may have conflated which specific Masonic hall hosted the first show.}}The one-day exhibition showcased fruit, flowers, and plants. This included the poinsettia, a plant then-newly imported from Mexico, which was exhibited by Colonel Robert Carr.{{Cite book |last=Warren |first=Leonard |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0DlK9Jdy1A4C&dq=%22philadelphia+flower+show%22+1829&pg=PA240 |title=Maclure of New Harmony: Scientist, Progressive Educator, Radical Philanthropist |date=2009-06-29 |publisher=Indiana University Press |isbn=978-0-253-00330-0 |language=en}} The Encyclopedia of American Folklife credits the flower show with introducing poinsettias as an American Christmas tradition,{{Cite book |last=Bronner |first=Simon J. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=q1vrBgAAQBAJ&dq=%22philadelphia+flower+show%22+1829&pg=PT1406 |title=Encyclopedia of American Folklife |date=2015-03-04 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-317-47194-3 |language=en}} as the festival introduced the plant to hundreds of Americans.{{cite journal |last1=Taylor |first1=Judith M. |last2=Lopez |first2=Roberto G. |last3=Currey |first3=Christopher J. |last4=Jan |first4=Jules |year=2011 |title=The Poinsettia: History and Transformation |url=https://www.actahort.org/chronica/pdf/ch5103.pdf#page=23 |journal=Chronica Horticulturae |volume=51 |issue=3 |pages=23–27}}
There were no shows in 1917–18 nor 1942–45.{{Citation needed|date=June 2022}}
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.{{Cite web |title=Philadelphia Flower Show Slide and Photograph Collection :: Pennsylvania Horticultural Society - Archive Collections Guides |url=http://digitalcollections.powerlibrary.org/cdm/ref/collection/spahs-acg/id/412 |access-date=2022-06-02 |website=digitalcollections.powerlibrary.org}}
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[http://www.pennsylvaniahorticulturalsociety.org/aboutus/pfs_history.html History of the Philadelphia Flower Show] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051101223557/http://www.pennsylvaniahorticulturalsociety.org/aboutus/pfs_history.html |date=2005-11-01 }} 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.{{Cite book |last=Pennsylvania Horticultural Society |url=http://archive.org/details/yearbookofpennsy1981penn |title=Yearbook of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society |date=1981 |publisher=Philadelphia: Pennsylvania Horticultural Society |others=McLean Library Pennsylvania Horticultural Society}}
The 2020 theme was "Riviera Holiday."
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.{{cite news|last=Conde|first=Ximena|title=The Philadelphia Flower Show will make outdoor debut at FDR Park in 2021|publisher=WHYY|location=Philadelphia, PA|date=December 8, 2020|url=https://whyy.org/articles/the-philadelphia-flower-show-will-make-outdoor-debut-at-fdr-park-in-2021/|accessdate=December 18, 2020}} The 2022 show was also held at FDR Park.{{Cite web |title=2022 PHS Philadelphia Flower Show Location, Dates, and Theme are Announced |url=https://phsonline.org/the-flower-show/press/news/2022-phs-philadelphia-flower-show-location-date-and-theme-are-announced |access-date=2022-06-01 |website=phsonline.org |language=en}} In 2023, the Philadelphia Flower Show will return to the Pennsylvania Convention Center and will be held in March.{{cite news|author=Staff|title=Philadelphia Flower Show will return to the Pennsylvania Convention Center in 2023|publisher=WPVI-TV|location=Philadelphia, PA|date=September 30, 2022|url=https://6abc.com/philadelphia-flower-show-2023-where-will-the-be-pennsylvania-convention-center-fdr-park/12283760/|access-date=September 30, 2022}}
Dates and themes
| class="wikitable"
|+Dates and themes !Year !Date range !Theme |
| 2025
|March 1 - 9 |Gardens of Tomorrow |
| 2024
|March 2 - 10 |United by Flowers |
| 2023
|March 4 - 12 |The Garden Electric |
| 2022
|June 11 - 19 |In Full Bloom |
| 2021
|June 5 - 13 |Habitat |
| 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.{{Cite web |title=What are the Philadelphia Flower Show themes of past years? - ask PHS |url=https://pennhort.libanswers.com/faq/251216 |access-date=2022-06-02 |website=pennhort.libanswers.com}}
Historical art and photographs from 1829 to present relating to the PHS's Flower Show can be found on [https://digitalarchives.powerlibrary.org/papd/islandora/object/papd%3Aspahs-pfsc the Digital Archives] of Pennsylvania Department of Education.
Gallery
File:2009 Philadelphia Flower Show IMG 2018 (3354476856).jpg|alt=|2009 Philadelphia Flower Show
File:2010 Philadelphia Flower Show IMG 3315 (4396185547).jpg|alt=|2010 Philadelphia Flower Show
File:Philadelphia Flower Show 2011 Carousel animal HPIM4376.jpg|Carousel animal, 2011
File:Philadelphia Flower Show 2011 Dolphin Eiffel Tower HPIM4368.jpg|Dolphin, Eiffel Tower, 2011
File:Philadelphia Flower Show 2011 HPIM4366.jpg|Flowers, 2011
File:Philadelphia Flower Show 2011 Boat of flowers HPIM4359.jpg|Boat of flowers, 2011
File:Philadelphia Flower Show 2011 Green Wall HPIM4369.jpg|Green Wall, 2011
File:Philadelphia Flower Show 2015 (16718808901).jpg|alt=|Philadelphia Flower Show 2015
File:Philadelphia Flower Show 2015 (16718808141).jpg|alt=|2015 Philadelphia Flower Show
File:Philadelphia Flower Show 2015 (16533942529).jpg|alt=|2015 Philadelphia Flower Show
File:2017 Philadelphia Flower Show (34822862356).jpg|alt=|2017 Philadelphia Flower Show
{{Portal|Philadelphia}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commonscat}}
- [http://www.theflowershow.com/ Philadelphia International Flower Show] official site
- [http://www.pennsylvaniahorticulturalsociety.org/ Pennsylvania Horticultural Society]
{{coord|39.9540|-75.1602|type:landmark_globe:earth_region:US-PA|display=title}}
Category:Culture of Philadelphia
Category:Tourist attractions in Philadelphia
Category:Annual events in Pennsylvania
Category:Festivals established in 1829