Dark clouds were moving in and I had to find a place to hide out so I dashed into the plant tent with many others. The torrential rain would be great for the flowers but not so much for visitors at the Philly Flower Show, being held outdoors for the first time in its history.
The Philadelphia Flower Show, normally held at the PA Convention Center in February/March has long been the signal Philadelphians need that Spring is on the way and we can put the snow gear away. In the spirit of “the show must go on” and to keep with state and local covid guidelines for social distancing and masking, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, found an innovative way to present the much loved Flower Show – outdoors at FDR Park in South Philadelphia across from the sports stadiums (easily accessible by local transit as well as multiple highways and bridges).
Despite growing up in Philadelphia, I’ve never been to this park and thought it was a great choice for the outdoor Flower Show. Sure, it was hot and humid for June but that’s the risk of having an outdoor event. Rather than showcase the displays under the convention center lighting, we had sun, clouds, rain and sun again during my preview visit.
Philadelphia Flower Show Preview
There is a bit of a walk down the main path past the tennis courts and playground to the show entrance. Walking from the parking venues also needs to be factored in (note: there are free shuttles available). Walking into the flower show, there are multiple information tents as well as PHS volunteers ready to help you with questions and directions.
The theme is HABITAT, Nature’s Masterpiece, and what better way to see the flower show than interspersed with the park’s greenery and buildings. On the right is the Pavilion with a stunning standout display of colored ferns, roses and orchids with a view of the lake. You can’t replicate this inside the convention center and was one of many unique features of holding the flower show outside in FDR Park. While the park is over 200+ acres, the flower show is using 15 acres to put on the event.
The main displays in the Design District between the pavilion, boathouse and the Swedish Museum varied – a few seems to blend into the landscape while others make you stop and take them in. There is an interactive display with bee’s wings, similar to the popular angel wings street art around the world. This was one of many interactive displays that will produce insta-friendly photos.
The kangaroo was cute to showcase Australia and the garden & garbage urban renewal display highlighted the transforming vacant land program at PHS.
Flower Show Plants
This pandemic year, I broke down and became a plant mom to three mini plants (ordered online as a plant trio). That’s the extent of my gardening to be honest. While the flower show might be intimidating to me (and others), I found comfort in the plant tent. The award winning plants are showcased along with clever designs for small spaces like windowsills, trellis, balconies and patios. Seeing the plants arranged in hanging baskets as well as planters and regular pots makes it a bit easier to jump into being a plant mom (or dad).
Flower Show Food & Drink
There are three main areas plus a beer garden for food & drink – the Boathouse as well as food groves with picnic seating in each section. The choices vary from Simply Good Jars (featured on Shark Tank) to Belgian Fries and German sausages. Add in the boozy dessert kiosk, multiple ice cream options and the standard lemonade/pretzel stand and in theory you shouldn’t go hungry. Given the opening weekend food shortages, long lines and complaints, it seems organizers underestimated visitor needs.
Note: There are no water fountains or refill stations. Water was $4-5 per bottle.
I brought my own water with me as well as some snack bars because I never go anywhere hungry or expecting to eat easily. I also don’t have patience for lines, high prices, etc. You can’t bring your own food in but you can bring in water and snacks and you should.
Flower Show Shopping
The floral displays are lined with multiple kiosks generally selling garden related items although there are other non-flower related booths too. Shopping is shopping. You can buy seeds, flowers, accessories, garden/patio furniture and trinkets. The Horticultural Society has their own flower show gift shop tent.
There are multiple experts ready to help you seed the garden, tend to the garden and if you are a new plant mom like me experts to answer all questions about keeping those plants healthy and flourishing. I liked that the flower show had the plant pavilion to showcase that all levels of plants can be successful.
Final Thoughts – Philadelphia Flower Show at FDR Park
I’ll admit the Flower Show in its normal habitat, the Convention Center, was always a bit much for me so I would visit after work during the week when there were fewer crowds. I’ve enjoyed the Flower Show for years but really enjoyed the new location and presentation this year. The Horticultural Society has had great success in recent years going outside to sponsor beer gardens and garden pop-ups throughout the city to bring nature to the neighborhoods, transform abandon lots and educate the masses with their programming. The Philly Flower Show supports the year round programming and good works PHS does throughout Philadelphia and it’s suburbs.
It might be a generation thing, but I’d love to see the Flower Show at FDR Park in the future. While I know they have a multi-year contract with the convention center, I’m guessing we won’t be outside in June anytime soon. There will also be the folks that like the compact nature of the convention center vs. the heavy walking in the park. You will never please everyone. Given the immense challenge the teams took on to produce this year’s Flower Show in the Park, they did great in my opinion. I heard a few folks grumble about “it’s like a Botantical Garden” and I smiled because that’s what I liked best – Nature’s Masterpiece – Habitat.
