Philadelphia Flower Show 2020

The Philadelphia Flower show always amazes me and this year they didn’t disappoint. I learned about the Philadelphia Flower Show online a couple years ago, and made the trip last year solo. As soon as this years tickets went on sale, I bought a pair so my mum could also enjoy what I have experienced and have raved about in the past years shows.

For my mums Christmas gift I got her tickets to the Flower Show, the Bloomin’ Brunch, the Butterfly Feed as well as a beautiful floral lavender pin from WildShip to wear to the show.

We made our way to Philly and headed out to see the show, we were lucky to stay right across the street since it was a bit cold outside. We headed in and as usual, the entrance was spectacular and I was blown away by the color and all the detail they put into every inch.

This years theme was “Riviera Holiday”, there was so much detail and construction that went into the displays of all the flowers and installations. It was very interesting to see all the florists and gardeners take on the theme. Right away the first thing I spotted a Langstroth hive hidden in one of the displays and ran over to it. With two frames, a smoker, a veil and some jars of honey it was a nice hidden treasure.

My eyes lit. up.

We came upon this eye popping installation full of color by Schaffer Designs called “Le Strade delle Cinque Terre”. This beautiful piece was almost to the height of the ceiling, full of color and all different floral species included in the display. It was the clear winner of the whole show, using all different materials including: wire, glass, wood, straw, metal, string and so much more.

“The Streets of the Five Lands” is inspired by Italy’s ancient fisherman who painted their houses in bold and pastel colours to easily spot their homes as they returned from sea. Centuries of artists have been inspired to put brush to canvas in thei… — “The Streets of the Five Lands” is inspired by Italy’s ancient fisherman who painted their houses in bold and pastel colours to easily spot their homes as they returned from sea. Centuries of artists have been inspired to put brush to canvas in their attempts to capture the breathtaking beauty of the Cinque Terre. Here, the town’s houses and street are brought to life in an abstract, color-blocked, interpretation of modern floral art. These terraced houses seemingly defy gravity, hovering above jagged cliffs while clinging to the sloping down the rocky Riviera Coastline. Experience the liveliness of the streets with a stroll down the geometric-inspired, floral structures that line your path through the Italian villages of the Five Lands: Corniglia, Manarola, Monterosso, Riomaggiores, and Vernazza.

This display won:

“The 2020 PHS Philadelphia Flower Show Cup”

Best in Show Award for the highest-scoring Floral major exhibit.

“Special Achievement Award of The Garden Slub Federation of Pennsylvania”

Awarded to an exhibit of unusual excellence (1,000 square feet and over) in the category of Creativity.

“The Emile H. Geschick Award”

For distinctive orchid display, to be judged for quality and artistic arrangement in either group or individual specimens.

“The Phyllis M. Craig Award”

To the Floral major exhibit demonstrating the best use of color in flowering and/or foliage plants in an innovative or unique design.

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The PHS Gold Medal
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We started to make our way around to the other installations before it started to get really crowded in the convention center.

This wall of succulents was amazing to me, how they incorporated all different kinds of color and sizes and defied gravity. If you have ever had a succulent plant or tried it in any arrangement you will understand the delicacy you have to have.

The Hudson Valley Seed Co. had one of the best vendor displays, hands down. They used their most eye popping seed art packs and turned them into cut outs for visitors to come take their picture with. 
One of my favorite vendors at any garden or flower show.

They displayed all their art packs on a wall in a gradient of color, very unique and clever. When I first discovered this company, their art packs were what drew me into their product. Ever since then I make sure to look for them at any event and ev… — They displayed all their art packs on a wall in a gradient of color, very unique and clever. When I first discovered this company, their art packs were what drew me into their product. Ever since then I make sure to look for them at any event and even started to save the art packs to put on display for my own display.

Next stop the Bloomin’ Brunch!

Last year I attended this alone and sat next to the nicest couple and their friend and had such a great time. This year I made sure my mum experienced it as well. The food was delicious and the table center pieces were all different and unique, some in shorter vases with lemons some taller skinny vases with roses and greenery. They also had a man made out of moss laying in a hammock and extreme intricate detail of succulents used to make his beard, amazing!

They even had a mini sail boat set up as a photo booth!

ahoy matey!

Next up Butterflies!

For only 5$ you can enter and feed butterflies with Q-Tips dipped in nectar. One quickly jumped on mine however it took my mum awhile to get one to land on hers. They make sure they inspect you thoroughly before you exit to make sure no little guys are trying to make an escape.

We headed back to explore more of the show!

Tulips have always been one of my favorite flowers, it’s the first sign of spring and a sign the weather is about to turn warmer which means it time to get outside and start gardening. Tulips are also bulbs, so that means they will come back every year without the hassle of planting them year after year. My favorite type of tulip is the Parrot Tulip (featured above in Orange). These tulips have such unique petals with ragged edges and come in all different colors and varieties.

We walked through some amazing beautiful displays and there was a commonality of lemons in almost all of the displays which may have been a requirement to have in their displays.

The Importance of Bees…

What I love most about this show is that they always have a section dedicated to the education of our pollinator friends. Last year they had a booth for the American Beauties Native Plants and had visitors Pledge to be a Pollinator Superheros as well as gave out information on what plants benefit what insects. This year they had a section with different types of bees and their habitats that they live in.