Held from March 1-9 at the Pennsylvania Conference Middle, the 2025 Philadelphia Flower Present, sponsored by the Philadelphia Horticultural Society (PHS), was themed “Gardens of Tomorrow.”
This 12 months’s present envisions the way forward for horticulture, the place nature’s timeless magnificence and human innovation come collectively to domesticate a sustainable planet. “Gardens of Tomorrow” invitations guests to mirror on the evolving relationship between individuals, vegetation and the evolution of gardening.
Because the nation’s signature gardening present for practically 200 years, the Flower Present attracts guests and exhibitors from throughout the area and past. This 12 months, Philadelphia contestants completed robust, taking house the PHS Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals.
Temple College’s Ambler and Philadelphia campuses have been acknowledged for his or her instructional exhibit, “Reflections on Regeneration: An Clever Response to Our Altering Atmosphere.” Junior Panorama Structure majors Sophia Downs and Justin Border, from Temple’s Ambler campus, shared reflections on their tackle “gardens of tomorrow.” As a substitute of going for a extra futuristic method, the scholars at Temple targeted on sustainably utilizing the assets that have been already accessible.
Their exhibit was constructed solely of native vegetation and supplies both discovered on the Ambler campus, donated by native companies or supplies reused from previous flower reveals. These college students targeted on a tomorrow with shared assets accessible equally to everybody.
Temple’s “Reflections on Regeneration” was awarded the PHS Gold Medal, the Alfred M. Campbell Memorial Trophy, and the Bulkeley Medal.
The PHS Silver Medal was awarded to Roxborough’s W.B. Saul Excessive Faculty. Lucia Raboteau, Saul Class of 2026, collaborated with roughly 100 of her classmates in Saul’s Horticultural Program to create their playful entry titled “Modularity.” This exhibit delivered to life a artistic and immersive studying area that imagines hands-on studying inside city settings. Raboteau stated, “The expertise was exhausting and enjoyable for me. What it meant to me — being on a staff and creating one thing that we have been happy with.”
The PHS Bronze Medal was awarded to the West Philly-based florist Bloom Daring Co. Their entry “A Matter of Time” featured a deconstructed clock, and invited viewers to think about the steadiness between time that has handed and time that speeds ahead, accelerating progress. This exhibit featured a name to motion that encourages its viewers to think about their duty in direction of future generations, and to think about the legacy they go away behind.
Exhibiting on the Flower Present isn’t just for professionals, the present’s centerpiece “Horticourt” options entries from greater than 100 house gardeners as effectively. West Philly’s Anisha Chirmule was a first-time exhibitor this 12 months. She loved the method of coming into her beloved begonia plant for show: “I submitted a home plant for the primary time for consideration, so I acquired to go to the present a number of occasions this 12 months and see the method of the right way to get vegetation accredited, and all of the behind-the-scenes work it takes to make the entire occasion go so easily. I can’t wait to maintain going again annually!”
The theme of “Gardens of Tomorrow” emphasizes sustainability, neighborhood and the well being advantages of gardening. Displays discover how progressive inexperienced areas can mitigate local weather change, promote biodiversity and improve city dwelling. The PHS Gardening for the Higher Good Exhibit showcases sensible, sustainable gardening strategies, whereas the PHS Youngsters Cocoon offers an interactive area the place younger guests can interact with vegetation and nature firsthand.
Whereas the present’s centrally-placed “Market” presents greater than 200 distributors promoting seeds, gardening instruments, reside flowers and residential items, and permits attendees to take house a bit of the present, the “Makers Market” is off the overwhelmed path, positioned outdoors Butterflies Reside! and the Youngsters Cocoon.
This 12 months’s Makers Market was co-curated by Tonya Mason of MasonMade. The Makers Market supplied packages for distributors, from three days all the best way as much as 10 days. Mason’s intent was to assist small native companies who wish to develop their gross sales and publicity. This versatile method helped help smaller operations that could be new to merchandising at giant public occasions, or who might not have the money to decide to a sales space within the “Market” part of the Flower Present.
Different native companies discovered within the Makers Market included Vellum Road (tallow-based soaps and body-care merchandise) and Sew Prism (prints and jewellery, handmade with care in Southwest Philly).
Whether or not you’re a seasoned gardener or just somebody who appreciates the fantastic thing about nature, the 2025 Philadelphia Flower Present guarantees a charming journey into the chances of tomorrow’s gardens. With an emphasis on sustainability, inventive innovation and neighborhood engagement, this 12 months’s present not solely celebrates horticulture, but additionally envisions a future the place gardens play an important function in our day by day lives.
Final-minute guests can reap the benefits of the Twilight Ticket program and save $10 on admission after 4 p.m. For many who want to lengthen their Flower Present expertise, the present presents further occasions like Early Morning Tour, Blossom & Breath, and Flowers After Hours on March 8 from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Promising to be out of this world unforgettable, Flowers After Hours transforms the present right into a cosmic after-dark dance occasion, that includes ’80s & ’90s-inspired pop music and leisure among the many gorgeous Flower Present installations, making it a celebration for social butterflies and backyard fans 21 years or older.