Northwest Philadelphia will showcase its deep bench of horticultural talent March 1 to 9 at the 196th Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Philadelphia Flower Show, with award-winning designers and educational institutions presenting exhibits that embrace the "Gardens of Tomorrow" theme. From Chestnut Hill to Roxborough, the region's participants will explore sustainability, community interconnection, and the relationship between nature and human development during the event at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
The Philadelphia Flower Show stands as the nation's largest and longest-running horticultural event, dating back to 1829 when the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society first organized an exhibition of exotic plants. What began as a modest gathering has evolved into an internationally recognized spectacle that attracts visitors from around the globe. Throughout its nearly two-century history, the show has served as both a cultural institution and a platform for innovation in landscape design and plant conservation.
In its early days, the show primarily featured specimens brought back by Philadelphia's merchant sailors from distant voyages. As the event grew, it transitioned from highlighting exotic curiosities to showcasing comprehensive garden displays and educational exhibits. During the 20th century, the Flower Show found various homes around Philadelphia before settling at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in 1996, where its expansive indoor space allows for increasingly ambitious installations regardless of winter weather conditions.
The event funds the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society's year-round programs that transform communities through horticulture, including neighborhood greening initiatives, tree planting efforts, and garden education programs throughout the greater Philadelphia area.
The Northwest area made a significant impact at last year's show, with Germantown-based Apiary Studio, Robertson's Flowers & Events of Chestnut Hill, W.B. Saul High School of Agricultural Sciences in Roxborough and Temple University's Department of Landscape Architecture and Horticulture in Ambler winning prestigious awards.
This year's show promises equally innovative exhibits under a forward-looking theme. "Gardens of Tomorrow invites us to envision a future where our actions today nurture a healthier planet," explains Seth Pearsoll, vice president and creative director of the Philadelphia Flower Show. The exhibition entrance will feature massive flowering trees, water features with cascading displays, and a custom-lit archway – setting the stage for exhibits that merge nature with human ingenuity.
The Northwest Philadelphia area will once again have strong representation:
Robertson's Flowers & Events from Chestnut Hill returns with an exhibit inspired by the Chinese proverb "One generation plants the trees, and the other gets the shade." Their installation features a majestic tree with an intricate root system representing interconnected communities and shared responsibility for environmental stewardship.
Apiary Studio of Germantown, last year's "Best in Show – Landscape" winner, presents an imaginative journey through life stages with distinct garden spaces. Using pussy willow, clover, daisies, and grass, visitors move from a protective "Woodland Meadow" representing infancy to a contemplative "Mountain Grotto" symbolizing wisdom in old age.
Bartlett Tree Experts, based in Flourtown, is a show sponsor with arborists available throughout the event. Visitors can ask tree-related questions of the scientific tree care specialists who have partnered with PHS since 1921.
W.B. Saul High School of Agricultural Sciences in Roxborough brings student work highlighting the interconnectedness of air, water, soil, and human quality. Their exhibit emphasizes these elements' importance in creating a sustainable future, reflecting the school's unique 130-acre agricultural campus.
The Philadelphia Cactus & Succulent Society, which meets at Cathedral Village in Roxborough, continues its Flower Show tradition from 1968. The organization connects Delaware Valley cactus enthusiasts through monthly meetings and social media platforms for plant identification and growing advice.
The Liberty Bell Gesneriad Society, also meeting at Cathedral Village, promotes interest in growing these specialized flowering plants through educational exchanges at their monthly gatherings from September through June.
Temple University's Department of Landscape, Architecture, & Horticulture in Ambler enlisted ten students, two faculty members, and a support team to examine the intersection of reforestation and mental health with a reflective installation.
Tickets are $20 to $49.99. Children under 4 are free. The Convention Center is at 1101 Arch St. For tickets and more information, visit phsonline.org/the-flower-show.
