Garden Photo of the Day

GPOD on the Road: The Philadelphia Flower Show

Visiting the nation’s largest flower show

By GPOD Contributor
hanging spheres made of colorful flowers

This is Kevin Kelly, and I thought I would share some photos from my trip to the Philadelphia Flower Show in mid-June. This show is the nation’s largest, and the world’s longest-running horticultural event, having begun in 1829.

welcome sign for the Philadelphia Flower ShowOver the years the show has been held indoors in early March, but the pandemic has forced it to be outdoors the last two years. This year, temperatures rose into the mid-90s, which caused its own set of challenges. The show plans to return to its indoor setting and March dates for 2023.

massive urn containers full of spiky plantsThese large containers stood about 12 feet tall and flanked the large stone gazebo at FDR Park, where the show was held.

hanging spheres made of colorful flowersThese beautiful floral spheres were hung from colorful arches along the entrance.

I thought this was a fascinating way to display an entrance garden.

mass plantings of white hydrangeas behind a iron gateHydrangeas (Hydrangea arborescens, Zones 3–9) are massed behind a gate.

display with water feature and lots of colorful flowersThis beautiful display shows the value of water. Purple calibrachoa (Calibrachoa hybrids, Zones 9–11 or as annuals) edge the water feature, with masses of yellow coreopsis (Coreopsis hybrid, Zones 4–9) in the bed behind.

statue of a girl reading a book in the gardenNice statue with fresh strawberries

mosaic garden artIn this entry in one of the competitive classes, the emphasis here is on a fence transformed into colorful mosaics made with items that would usually end up in the trash, such as plastic container lids.

old wooden deck with drawers used as plantersThis old desk won’t hold up long term, as moisture will destroy the wood, but it makes a very cool display.

mass planting of yellow flowersCoreopsis and catmint (Nepeta × faassenii, Zones 3–8) make a cloud of blue and gold flowers through which rise the bold stems and leaves of large coneflower (Rudbeckia maxima, Zones 4–9).

 

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Comments

  1. garden1953 07/22/2022

    This is wonderful. I love that it was outdoors! Thanks for sharing.

  2. Maggieat11 07/22/2022

    Thank you for posting the photos of the Show, Kevin! It's always an impressive event! When it is held in March, I can do, so I've missed going. I especially enjoyed the photo of the entrance garden. The water features are always amazing as well. Thank you for the glimpse of what was missed.

    1. imajayhawk 07/22/2022

      I have gone to the show every March for the past 30 years. Last years outdoor show was the first one I missed. While I went this year, I am very excited to have it move back to March.

  3. User avater
    simplesue 07/22/2022

    Thanks for sharing I had no idea this show existed!

    1. imajayhawk 07/22/2022

      It is a great show, especially in March (held the first full week), when we are all longing for spring.

  4. User avater
    cynthia2020 07/22/2022

    Hi, Kevin - I especially like the photo/composition of the calibrachoa and the pool and wooden structures. The coreopsis and catmint design reminds me of https://www.finegardening.com/article/matrix-planting - the mosaic fence reminded me of my found red plastic collection I used to have. That would have been a good use.
    Thanks for sharing.

  5. User avater
    treasuresmom 07/22/2022

    Love it, Kevin. Thanks for sharing.

  6. btucker9675 07/22/2022

    Fabulous....

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