Field Trip ~ Philadelphia Flower Show

• By Barb
• Posted in Amazing flower pairings, Bringing the garden inside, DIY home and garden craft projects, Field Trip, Recycled and repurposed items as garden art, Things that inspire me in the garden
• On March 19, 2017
• Comments Off on Field Trip ~ Philadelphia Flower Show

Set ahead to the second week in March to avoid bad weather, ironically, the Philadelphia Flower Show opened on a snowy day and experienced Storm Stella midweek during its run. Despite the weather, it was worth the effort to attend this year’s “Holland ~ Flowering the World” themed flower show sponsored by the Philadelphia Horticulture Society.

If you didn’t get a chance to go yourself, sit back with a nice cuppa while I share some beautiful snippets of my experience.

What an extravaganza of spring! Thousands upon thousands of tulips in every hue, spring-flowering trees, shrubs and flowers were worked into displays honoring Holland’s floral inspirations.

 

 

Upon entering the great hall, a spectacular re-creation of a canal bridge complete with bicycles (a popular mode of transportation throughout Holland) and street lamps came into view. Surrounded by tulips with a backdrop of suspended blooms, this was a breathtaking sight.

An informative historical view of tulips was depicted in a walk-through display. Did you know where the word, “Tulip” came from and that the tulips we know and love today originated in Turkey?

Small fenced private gardens, known as “Stinze”” in Holland, were lovingly portrayed in many exhibits. There were so many details to notice, from slate or green-roofed garden sheds with Delft tile framed windows to tiny greenhouses that looked like the gardener had just stepped out for a coffee. Here’s a little gallery of some highlights.

Landscapes with lovely forged gates, whimsical bike wheel fences and human-sized woven nests served up inspiration to all.

Bicycles and windmills were featured throughout the show, some utilitarian and others fanciful.

Judged entries from bonsai to cactus and everything in between were grouped by categories for wistful gazers in the plant competition area. The best of the best were all on view, common houseplants to exotic wonders.

Imaginative floral arrangements ran the gamut of tablescapes, door stoops, balconies, windowsills, container plantings and street scenes in the Design Gallery. Even floral jewelry and botanical illustrations were exhibited.

Educational demonstrations and presentations could be found throughout the hall as well as in the Ecodome (imported from Holland).

Located in the Marketplace, vendors from all over the country offered a wide variety of plants, gardening tools, gifts and accents for purchase. This is a great place to find the latest new garden gadget or that special addition to your home or garden.

What a breath of spring it was on a snowy day to take in all these inspiring sights and ideas!