If you’re like me, by now you’re weary of the cold, bleak wintry weather and eager for spring. You may be itching to dig into the garden and set into motion the magic that unfolds in the coming months.
But alas, we must remain patient as Mother Nature quietly works on restoring herself and laying the groundwork for her reawakening.
The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) understood this when it created the first Philadelphia Flower Show 196 years ago. This harbinger of spring, the world’s largest and longest-running horticultural event represents horticultural excellence. It’s the perfect way to shake off the winter doldrums and get inspired for the coming season.
This trip was hosted. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.
Every March, PHS transforms the Pennsylvania Convention Center into an oasis of beauty and creativity. It provides a platform for the world’s top floral and landscape talents to share visionary designs and sustainable gardening practices.
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2025 Philadelphia Flower Show Theme
This year’s theme “Gardens of Tomorrow” celebrates “innovation, resilience and creativity…invok(ing) a sense of optimism, highlighting how planting something today is a small gesture that promotes a brighter future.” says Seth Pearsoll, the Show’s VP and Creative Director.
The 2025 event’s grand entrance, the “Futura Florentia” garden, beautifully interprets the show’s theme with a vision of flora as symbols of a thriving future, embodying growth, beauty and vitality.
The 2025 Philadelphia Flower Show promises inspiration and sustainability, inviting visitors to explore gardening’s transformative role in creating a healthier, more beautiful world. Here’s what you can expect from “Gardens of Tomorrow”:
2025 Exhibitors
- OLIN and Remark Glass’s collaborative piece, “Don’t Call it Dirt, Don’t Call it Trash,” uses repurposed materials like glass jars and food waste to demonstrate sustainable landscaping through recycled glass sand, biochar and compost.
- Kazuyuki Ishihara and Iftikhar Ahmed’s exhibit, “Tomorrow’s Eden – Gardens for a Changing World,” is a two-tiered garden that explores resilience and regeneration in the face of environmental challenges.
- Simply Nia Design and Bloom Bold & Co., both former members of the Black Girl Florists collective, debut independently. Simply Nia Design spotlights carnations in a display centered on faith and perseverance, while Bloom Bold & Co. explores the concept of time with a deconstructed clock exhibit, highlighting the importance of nurturing future floral industry talent.
- Jennifer Designs returns with “Welcoming Wildlife Home,” an exhibit in which florals and wild creatures blend seamlessly. This display emphasizes the coexistence between humans and nature and illustrates the crucial role wildlife plays in maintaining a biodiverse ecosystem.
- Robertson’s Flowers & Events features an exhibit inspired by the Chinese proverb, “One generation plants the trees, and the other gets the shade.” At the display’s heart is a majestic tree stand whose stretched roots symbolize community connections and the importance of collective efforts in environmental stewardship.
- Susan Cohan presents “Field of Vision 25/50,” a visionary garden in a post-industrial setting. Recycled materials, such as a repurposed water tower, emphasize water conservation and the importance of shade and shelter, demonstrating the potential for sustainable and inclusive urban garden design.
- Apiary Studios the 2024 “Best in Show – Landscape” winner, returns with a creative exhibit that examines the nostalgia of childhood play across life’s stages: a “Woodland Meadow” for infancy, “Savannah” for youth, “Kid City” for middle age, and “Mountain Grotto” for maturity. Each uses specific plantings to convey the essence of each life phase.
Flower Show Events and Tours
- Early Morning Tours (March 1-9): Explore the show floor with a guide before public hours, learning about exhibitors and garden designs. Tours run from 8 am – 10 am daily—purchase required.
- Early Morning Photography Tours (March 1-9): A guided photography tour for photographers of all levels to capture the beauty of the Flower Show ahead of general admission. Tours run from 8 am – 10 am daily—purchase required.
- Family Frolic (March 2): A day dedicated to families, featuring hands-on activities and entertainment in partnership with museums, nonprofits and universities. Free admission from 10 am – 3 pm.
- Blossom and Breathe (March 7): A celebration of wellness with Honey Buz Natural Skincare and Noel Davis of Paris Fit, featuring a botanical bazaar, yoga sessions and immersive silent yoga. Free admission from 5 pm – 8 pm, additional fee for yoga classes.
- Flowers After Hours (March 8): An after-hours dance party with an OUT OF THIS WORLD theme, featuring a cosmic dance floor, alien encounter photo ops, galaxy-inspired cocktails and a space fashion show. Music by SNACKTIME and DJs. 21+ event, ID required, from 8:30 pm – 11:30 pm. Purchase required.
Flower Show Activities & Educational Opportunities
- Know to Grow Educational Sessions: Industry experts deliver daily presentations on topics like garden design, vegetable gardening, and houseplants. This year, sessions feature speakers from the Great Grow Along Festival, Fine Gardening Magazine, and Timber Press. Free with admission.
- Artisan Row: An expanded area for hands-on crafting with artisans. Create floral crowns, terrariums, botanical jewelry, and more. Material purchase required.
- Bloom Bar & Cart: Purchase ready-made floral crowns including a new Bloom Bar Cart at the entrance for immediate access to floral accessories—purchase required.
- Potting Parties: Join container gardening workshops led by Tu Bloom, the Grammy® Awards’ Official Botanical Artist, and leave with your potted creation—purchase required.
- Butterflies Live!: Walk among native and exotic butterflies displaying vibrant colors in a tranquil setting, suitable for all ages—purchase required.
- Butterfly Kiosk: Buy butterfly-themed magnets or clips as mementos from the Butterflies Live! exhibit.
- Kids Cocoon: A playful area for children with activities like seed planting and story time, featuring a floral-themed Creation Station by The Franklin Institute. Free with admission.
Tips for Making the Most of the Philadelphia Flower Show
- Purchase your tickets in advance at PHSonline.org/the-flower-show/ticket-info
- Consider becoming a member, ticket discounts are available.
- Visit midweek or after 4 pm to enjoy a $10 discount and smaller crowds
- Take Public transportation
- Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Leave your bags at home. If you must carry one, make it small and clear.
- Bring your camera
- Plan your visit, including the seminars in advance
- For the little ones, bring a small collapsible stroller or rent one. Reservations recommended
- Scooters and manual wheelchairs are available for those with mobility issues. Reservations recommended.
- Only ADA Title III service animals are permitted.
- No outside food. Onsite concessions and Water bottle filling stations are available.
2025 PHS Philadelphia Flower Show Details
Date: March 1-9, 2025, with a PHS Member Preview on Feb. 28, 2025
Times: Saturday, Mar. 1 – Saturday, Mar. 8: 10 am – 8 pm and Sunday, Mar. 9, 10 am – 6 pm
Location: Pennsylvania Convention Center,1101 Arch St, Philadelphia
Purchase tickets at phsonline.org/the-flower-show/tickets
Parking: Find parking on the Philadelphia Parking Authority website or SpotHero
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