Philadelphia Flower Show

The Philadelphia Flower Show is the world's largest and longest-running horticultural event, attracting over 250,000 visitors annually since 1829. Organized by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS), the show transforms the Pennsylvania Convention Center into a 10-acre indoor garden featuring elaborate themed displays, competitive exhibitions, and thousands of plant varieties. Each year's show follows a theme that inspires massive installations, from tropical paradises to European gardens. The Flower Show launches the spring season in Philadelphia and generates an estimated $70 million in economic impact for the region.

History

Origins (1829)

First show:

• Founded 1829
• Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
• America's first flower show
• Masonic Hall venue

19th Century

Growth:

• Annual tradition established
• Competition format developed
• National recognition
• Venue changes

20th Century

Major expansion:

• Civic Center era
• Themed shows introduced
• National exhibitors
• Television coverage

Convention Center Era (1996-present)

Modern show:

• Pennsylvania Convention Center
• Massive installations
• 250,000+ attendance
• International acclaim

The Show

Scale

Dimensions:

• 10+ acres of displays
• 1,000+ exhibitors
• Hundreds of thousands of flowers
• Week-long event

Themes

Annual concepts:

• Elaborate thematic presentations
• Major installations
• Creative interpretation
• Designer competition

Notable Themes

Past shows:

• "Flower Power" (2007)
• "Passport to the World" (2009)
• "Hawaii: Islands of Aloha" (2015)
• "Holland: Flowering the World" (2017)

Competition

Categories

Competitive classes:

• Major exhibits
• Landscape design
• Floral design
• Horticulture specimens
• Photography

Exhibitors

Participants:

• Professional designers
• Garden clubs
• Nurseries
• Amateur gardeners
• Students

Awards

Recognition:

• Best in Show
• President's Trophy
• Category awards
• People's Choice

Major Exhibits

Landscape Displays

Large installations:

• Full-scale gardens
• Professional designers
• Themed environments
• Massive plant installations

Hamilton Horticourt

Competition hall:

• Individual specimen competition
• Thousands of entries
• Judged horticulture
• Traditional focus

Marketplace

Shopping:

• Plants for sale
• Garden accessories
• Specialty vendors
• Demonstrations

Programming

Demonstrations

Live events:

• Gardening techniques
• Floral design
• Expert speakers
• Workshops

Lectures

Education:

• Celebrity gardeners
• Landscape designers
• Plant specialists
• Environmental topics

Special Events

Evening programs:

• Preview party
• Fashion shows
• Evening receptions
• Members events

Economic Impact

Regional Benefits

Economic driver:

• $70+ million impact
• Hotel occupancy
• Restaurant business
• Retail sales

Tourism

Visitors:

• Regional draw
• National visitors
• International guests
• Spring tradition

Pennsylvania Horticultural Society

Organization

Host:

• Founded 1827
• Oldest horticultural society in U.S.
• Community programs
• Green initiatives

Mission

Purpose:

• Gardening education
• City greening
• Environmental stewardship
• Community gardens

Programs

Year-round work:

• PHS Pop Up Gardens
• City Harvest
• Philadelphia LandCare
• Tree planting

Attending

Tickets

Access:

• General admission
• Advance purchase recommended
• Member discounts
• Group rates

Tips

Visitor experience:

• Weekday visits less crowded
• Comfortable shoes essential
• Photography encouraged
• Full day experience

Accessibility

Accommodations:

• Wheelchair accessible
• Scooter rentals
• Sensory considerations
• Rest areas

See Also

• Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
• Pennsylvania Convention Center
• Philadelphia Events