What To Look For At The Philadelphia International Flower Show
Philadelphia International Flower Show
Date: March 4, 2012 - March 11, 2012
Hours: Sun – 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Mon to Fri – 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Sat – 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Sun – 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Prices: Adults, $27 Students, $20 Children age 2 to 16, $15
The Philadelphia International Flower Show has become a world-class event known particularly for the spectacular presentations of its exhibitors. The show is held each year in early March, and proceeds benefit the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.
The show is held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center at 12th and Arch Streets, along the route of the Philadelphia Marathon.
This year's theme is "Hawaii: Islands of Aloha" and will feature more than 60 landscapers, florists and horticultural organizations that will exhibit panoramic gardens and floral displays. These fabulous presenters compete for awards including best in show for each category. Notable exhibitors include:
Parking
Roughly 8,000 parking spaces sit within a few blocks of the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Click here for a map.
Shopping
Floral shopping options abound at the show. Hit the Marketplace for furniture, hand-crafted planters and jewelry, delicious food, plants and tools; or make off with a little show memorabilia at the Shoppe. Both stores have an abundance of gardening needs covered, but the Meadowbrook Farm Store is the place for herbs, flowering plants, topiaries, ferns, tropicals, cacti, succulents and alpines.
Must See:
Michael Petrie's Handmade Gardens
320 W. Uwchlan Ave.
Downingtown, PA 19335
(610) 505-8262
www.handmadegardens.net
Last year, Petrie's exhibit was inspired by Claude Monet's waterlily paintings. The installation included paintings that mimic how a garden softly changes in the light throughout the day. Michael Petrie specializes in practical and creative garden and outdoor living spaces design. He is a best-in-show, award-winning Philadelphia International Flower Show exhibit designer.
Celebrations Design Group
345 S. Morris Ave.
Crum Lynne, PA 19022
(610) 833-5739
celebrationsdesigngroup.com
Last year's theme was entitled "Music of the Night" and featured an Angel of Music's underground passage below an opera house, complete with a simulated nighttime in the garden. In 2010, Celebrations Design's exhibit was awarded the distinction from Society of American Florists for the most creative presentation of cut flowers. In 2011, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society awarded its exhibit best interpretation of a theme.
J. Downend Landscaping
411 Smiley St.
Crum Lynne, PA 19022
(610) 833-1500
Downendlandscaping.com
In 2011, the theme of J. Downend was Tour de France in honor of the famed bicycle race. The French garden represented a diverse sample of the true French experience. The designers described their as a neighborhood landscape firm with humble beginnings in Delaware County. Downend specializes in creating functional and creative landscapes.
Kepich & Associates
3425 Holicong Rd.
Holicong, PA 18928
(215) 794-5090
Kepichlandscapedesign.com
A Kepich exhibit captures the local magnificence of the flowers of the Bucks County countryside. Kepich recreates a quaint, country home with gorgeous floral views from either side. Its exhibits feature azaleas and colorful perennials. Kepich & Associates has been awarded the governor's trophy at the Philadelphia International Flower Show as well as the American Horticultural Society Award.
Romano's Landscaping
Pitman, NJ 08071
(609) 471-1067
The theme of a Romano's exhibit is a journey down back roads. Its floral display includes an assortment of azaleas, rhododendrons and ferns framed in the abundance of green. Peter Romano has thrilled visitors to the Philadelphia International Flower Show for close to 40 years and he and his design team plan and prepare their exhibits for months in advance.
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Darren Hunter is an author, lecturer, and freelancer covering travel and outdoors around Philadelphia. His third book, The Exile Project, was set in Philadelphia's Fairmount Park at Valley Green. His work can be found at Examiner.com.
