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.
Over 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.
These large containers stood about 12 feet tall and flanked the large stone gazebo at FDR Park, where the show was held.
These beautiful floral spheres were hung from colorful arches along the entrance.
I thought this was a fascinating way to display an entrance garden.
Hydrangeas (Hydrangea arborescens, Zones 3–9) are massed behind a gate.
This 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.
Nice statue with fresh strawberries
In 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.
This old desk won’t hold up long term, as moisture will destroy the wood, but it makes a very cool display.
Coreopsis 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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