PHS Kicks Off 200th Anniversary Celebration

PHILADELPHIA, PA – November 11, 2026: For 200 years the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) has helped shape Greater Philadelphia through the power of gardening, inspiring generations, advancing the field of horticulture, and bringing people together to create a healthier, more beautiful, and more connected region.  

Today, PHS officially announces its 200th anniversary celebration with the unveiling of a new brand identity and website, reflecting the organization’s evolution and its enduring commitment to improving lives through gardening. 

The announcement marks the beginning of a milestone year for one of Philadelphia’s longest-standing civic institutions, offering an opportunity to reflect on its history while looking ahead to the impact it can make in the next century. That forward-looking ambition led to the development of its Third Century Plan, a new strategic roadmap to guide PHS’s future. Throughout the planning process, stakeholders identified a clear opportunity to raise awareness and reach of PHS and to build greater support for its mission. These priorities helped shape the development of the new brand identity and website. 

The yearlong celebration will feature special events and programming that highlight PHS’s history and lasting contributions to the region, while creating opportunities for the public to participate in its next chapter.  

For rebranded PHS assets, click here.

For photos, click here.

A New Identity Rooted in the Garden 

Developed in collaboration with Philadelphia-based creative studio Smith & Diction, the new brand identity draws inspiration from the natural world while reflecting PHS’s evolving role as a horticultural institution. 

At its center is a redesigned PHS wordmark featuring three plants growing from its letters, creating a more immediate visual connection between PHS and the gardening at the heart of its mission. Subtle references to Philadelphia’s street grid help ground the design in the city where PHS was founded. Beyond the wordmark, the new visual system introduces an expanded garden-inspired color palette and hand drawn botanical illustrations that reflect the wide diversity of PHS’s programs and the evolution of its work since 1827.  

Together, these elements create a unified yet flexible identity that strengthens recognition of PHS while giving its many programs room to express their distinct character, including its Healthy Neighborhoods programs, Public Gardens and Landscapes, gardening education, and the iconic Philadelphia Flower Show. 

Shaped through a collaborative process involving PHS staff, leadership, board members, and stakeholders alongside Smith & Diction, the refreshed brand identity reflects a shared vision for the organization’s future. 

As part of this broader effort to strengthen PHS’s visibility and public engagement, the organization has also launched a redesigned website. The new digital experience makes it easier for audiences to explore PHS’s work and find ways to get involved, including volunteering, membership, and donating. 

“We wanted to create a brand that feels as alive and dynamic as the work PHS does every day,” said Rob Feinberg, Chief Marketing, Communications and Sales Officer at the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. “PHS is deeply woven into the fabric of this region, often in ways people might not realize. Our new identity helps bring the full spectrum of our work into focus and invites more people to discover PHS and see how small acts of gardening can add up to meaningful change for themselves, their communities, and the planet. This is just the beginning. Like a garden, our new identity will grow and evolve with the seasons, coming to life in new ways across PHS and the communities we serve over the next year and beyond.” 

Explore the new PHS website at https://phsonline.org. 

Celebrating 200 Years of Gardening for the Greater Good 

Founded in November 1827, PHS has grown alongside Philadelphia, helping shape the city’s horticultural traditions and its relationship with gardens and green spaces. While best known for the Philadelphia Flower Show, PHS’s influence extends far beyond the annual event. Its work can be seen in the trees lining neighborhood streets, vacant lots transformed into green spaces, community gardens growing fresh food, and horticultural training that opens doors to new careers. Together, these efforts demonstrate the lasting influence of PHS on the region’s neighborhoods and public spaces. 

“Two hundred years is an incredible legacy, but what excites me most is what we can accomplish in the next hundred. We know that gardening can do far more than beautify a place. It can transform neighborhoods and strengthen the connections people have to their homes. Our ambition is to make that kind of impact possible for more people and in more places than ever before. None of this would be possible without the dedication of our members, volunteers, community partners, and supporters. As we celebrate this milestone, we hope more people will discover the role PHS plays in their everyday lives and find their own way to be part of what comes next,” said Matt Rader, President of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. 

Help shape PHS’s next chapter. Become a member or make a gift. Learn more and join at PHSonline.org/support-phs/membership.   

ABOUT THE PENNSYLVANIA HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 

What if gardening could do more than grow plants? At the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS), we believe gardening can transform lives and strengthen communities. Founded in 1827, PHS is an internationally recognized nonprofit organization that puts this belief into action across Greater Philadelphia. Through neighborhood greening initiatives, the stewardship of public gardens and landscapes, horticultural education, and the iconic Philadelphia Flower Show, we put gardening to work to improve health and well-being, increase access to fresh food, expand economic opportunities, and build stronger social connections. Guided by its mission to unite people and plants to create a healthy, beautiful, and joyful world, PHS invites everyone to help realize its vision: every person, every place, gardening for the greater good. Learn more at PHSOnline.org.  

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