Escape Winter At The 2017 Philadelphia Flower Show

Everything’s coming up roses! Well, actually this year its tulips, hyacinths and daffodils. I am so elated to have spent opening day at the annual Philadelphia Flower Show, and as has been my experience in previous years, I was absolutely blown away. The theme for his year’s show is Holland: Flowering the World, and as you can imagine, there were beautiful displays of tulips, hyacinths, daffodils and other horticultural specimens everywhere. There are a host of flower shows across the country, and even a few in my own backyard, but paying homage to gardens in what is essentially a concrete jungle is a reminder to me of just how transformative gardening can be.

Each year, in early March and right before spring arrives, I venture two and a half hours to Philadelphia to officially kick off my gardening season. After spending months peering through the panes of frosted windows and pining for some signs of life in my garden, I enthusiastically don the winter coat, hat and boots (it is almost always cold) and trudge through the streets of Philadelphia’s Center City to make my grand entrance into spring.

From the moment you enter the magnificent halls of the Philadelphia Convention Center, the harshness of what exists just outside the doors suddenly ceases and your entire world transforms into an existence of beauty, life and endless possibilities. Imagine, if you will, 10 acres with more than 30,000 flowers on display, and you get to experience every breathtaking moment. It is no surprise that people from every walk of life pack the halls each year. From elders being pushed through the halls in wheelchairs to infants hitching a ride strapped to the backs of parents, year after year they come with the anticipation and expectation of receiving an injection of beauty and life.

Created by the Philadelphia Horticultural Society, this show does not skimp on abundance of beauty, imagination or detail. The Philadelphia Flower Show is the largest indoor flower show in the world, attracting more than 250,000 visitors each year. The show features large-scale gardens, which range from spectacular landscaped displays to individual and flower club entries of a prize horticultural specimen. Themes are created each year, serving as the inspiration for entries.

The show runs March 11-19, so you still have time to make your way there. The cost ranges from $17 for children and $22 for students to $35 for adults. Here are just a few of the things you will want to check out during your visit.

Gardener’s Studio This year’s lineup includes a range of topics, to include container gardening, foodscaping, attracting pollinators, growing orchids and planting bulbs.

The Hamilton Flower Show Market Place A vast area of the show is devoted to shopping – the largest area housing the Flower Show Marketplace. Featured are rows and rows of almost 200 vendors with offerings of everything and anything related to gardening such as flowers, seeds, bulbs, books, planters, botanical art, tools and yard ornaments. You can also expect to find culinary delights such as olive oils, sea salts and vinegars or jams and honey butters.

One of the main attractions that is a must-see is the Butterflies Live room, located in the Concourse. This spectacular habitat consists of native plants with 1,000 butterflies filling the room with wonder. This exhibit costs an additional $5 fee. You can also purchase advance tickets for $28 per person and enjoy tea. There are two seatings that usually sell out pretty fast, so plan ahead.

So, if you are looking to get away, if only for a day, to a place that is certain to bring you joy, make your way, as I did, to the 2017 Philadelphia Flower Show.

I'm Bonnie McDaniel of Farm Girl In the City™ and I'll be writing on Patch about gardening, cooking, flowers, good living, urban gardening, and more!

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