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By Caitlin Gemmi

The Sixties era is revisited at the nation’s largest flower show this week as designers from throughout the region channel their inner flower child. The Design Gallery section at the Philadelphia Flower Show is the perfect place to express yourself through floral arrangements and artistic creations. Many of the designers took this year’s Show theme, “Flower Power” to heart and created pieces that harken back to the era of peace and love. Here are just some of the groovy entries featured this year:

The Long and Short of It

Competitors in the Show’s “Open Platform category” were challenged to create a mini or maxi dress made primarily of plant material. Susy Baum, a design gallery participant of 19 years, created a winning design based on a dress gifted to her by her mother.

During the time of Woodstock, Susy’s husband was serving in the Army and received overseas duty in Vietnam. After six months of deployment, soldiers were given time off for some rest and relaxation, typically in Hawaii. Susy planned to wear the dress from her mother on the visit to see her husband. However, she fell ill and was unable to visit Hawaii. She never wore the dress but saved it all these years for sentimental reasons.

“The dress symbolized my mother’s support of my husband and me during a tumultuous time in our country,” Susy shared. “The dress class entry not only provided me a way to honor my mother and my husband, but it exemplified the healing power of flowers.”

By Rob Cardillo

We asked Rob Cardillo, award-winning photographer and Photography Director of PHS’s GROW magazine, to share some pointers for taking photos at the nation’s largest flower show.

Photo Opportunities:
There’s plenty of photographic opportunities awaiting you at the Flower Show this year, from individual blooms, and massive flower arrangements, to large scale landscapes with several focal points and miniature settings that require an up close view. How can you make photos that are worth keeping and sharing?

Fill Your Frame:
The best advice is to fill your frame and watch your backgrounds. Filling the frame with your subject can be done either by getting physically closer or by using a zoom lens. You might not think you have a zoom lens, but most phone cameras will allow you to use two fingers to pinch-zoom in on a subject.

Consider the Background:
Next, take a moment to consider the background. With so much going on at the show, it can a little tricky finding a complimentary background for your subject. Varied light fixtures and other displays behind your subject can be distracting. Move your camera a little bit left or right to minimize those distracting elements. You can also seek subjects that are already well-framed and have simple backgrounds like the large arrangements in the FTD pods, the artistic Niche categories or the Ikebana display. I find these areas photographically rewarding.

By Marion McParland, PHS Staff

Are you searching for a low-maintenance shrub, tree, perennial or vine that will stand up to the challenges of our growing region and outperform all others in your garden with exceptional splendor? Look no further than awardees of the PHS Gold Medal Plants exhibit at the 2019 PHS Philadelphia Flower Show, now through Sunday, March 10, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

The PHS Gold Medal Plants program helps gardeners of all levels by spotlighting and promoting woody plants of outstanding merit. Since 1979, PHS experts have chosen plants for their stunning looks, performance, and hardiness in the growing region of Zones 5 – 7.

Featuring more than a dozen PHS Gold Medal Winners, this year’s exhibit showcases a dozen of these special plants. It is also staffed by PHS with volunteers from the Gold Medal Plant Committee and Pennsylvania Certified Horticulturists from the Pennsylvania Landscape & Nursery Association.

First-time Flower Show visitors Lynn and Robert Beal from Fairfax, Virginia, fell in love with the Gelsemium sempervirens ‘Margarita’, Carolina Jasmine, (below) a strikingly gorgeous flowering woody vine in this year’s exhibit. “The plethora of blooms, its vibrant colors and muted leaves remind me of fireworks,” says Lynn.

By Caitlin Gemmi

The nation’s largest and longest running horticultural event, the PHS Philadelphia Flower Show, is a wonderful introduction for the children in your life to the beauty and importance of plants. From healing gardens to the winning entries of the Junior Flower Show, there are hundreds of displays and activities to spark an interest in gardening in your children.

Playful Exhibits:

Stoney Bank Nurseries’ exhibit this year is called “Unplug & Play!” and encourages children to turn off the computer, get outside and enjoy nature. Joe Blandy, President of Stoney Bank, explained the inspiration came from Kelly, his wife, who works with kids as an occupational therapist. He wanted to show the importance of playing outdoors and learning how to explore as a young child. They have two young boys who love playing video games, and he wants to make sure they spend plenty of time outside.

The exhibit features a balance beam, fairy garden, colorful kites, a rope swing and a swirling water feature. “We wanted to create a space that would attract and mesmerize children,” said Joe about the exhibit. “Our goal is to spark some imagination in them and inspire them to see the outside world.” All the features in this exhibit can also be replicated in your own backyard.

“I wouldn’t be who I am today if I didn’t spend my childhood in the outdoors. Spending time in the woods all day sparked my interest in plants, design and gardening,” Joe said.

By Marion McParland, PHS Staff

Flowers have the power to create a world of beauty, inspire, decorate, celebrate, and convey emotions without any language barriers. But did you know they also have the power to heal? In fact, don’t be surprised if your doctor writes you a prescription for light gardening, three to five times a week, as needed, for well-being.

The healing powers of plants and horticulture have been documented as far back as 2000 BC. According to the American Horticultural Therapy Association, ancient Egyptian physicians prescribed walks around a garden for patients with mental illness.

Main Line Health explores the healing powers of working with plants and growing a garden in its exhibit, “Cultivating Wellness from the Ground Up,” at the 2019 PHS Philadelphia Flower Show, open now through Sunday, March 10.

Also, on Monday, March 4 at 4 p.m., Main Line Health will present “The Power of Plants: Nutrient-Dense Plants” in the Gardener’s Studio on the Show floor. And on Thursday, March 7 at 4 p.m., they will discuss “Gardening for Good Health: It Makes ‘Scents.’” Learn more about how Horticultural Therapy helps achieve therapy goals and discover how Aromatherapy, a nursing initiative, is incorporated into practice at Main Line Health.

By Raelie Mulvey

With more and more people choosing to live in urban areas, interest in container gardening has seen a huge increase in recent years. And why not? In a small space, even a tiny succulent in a cute planter can make all the difference for boosting moods and beautifying a room.

At the forefront of the professionals in the container gardening world is celebrity gardener, Tu Bloom. Bloom began his gardening career as a child, growing simple crops in abandoned lots near his parents’ home.  “I grew up in a low-income family and I didn’t have the resources to get potting mix, so I made my own. I reused pop bottles and even aluminum cans! When you love gardening, you sometimes have to make it work and think outside of the box.” Today, he is known internationally for his container designs and is the florist of choice for the Grammy awards ceremony. 

Tu revealed that his Potting Party workshops at the world-famous Philadelphia Flower Show, sponsored by Subaru, will incorporate one of the biggest trends in container gardening: foodscaping.

By Caitlin Gemmi

As the snow melts and warmer days arrive, it is the perfect time to check on your trees and give them a little extra care. Here are some tips to keep your trees healthy and thriving in the coming months:

More Mulch

It is important to mulch regularly around the base of your trees. Mulch conserves soil moisture, controls weeds, protects against "lawn mower disease" and adds organic matter to the soil as it decomposes. The best mulch you can use is organic, undyed mulch. When mulching, use the 3x3x3 method (no more than 3 inches deep, keep mulch 3 inches away from the trunk, and spread the mulch at least 3 feet wide around the tree). Philadelphia residents can get up to 30 gallons of free organic materials at the Fairmount Park Organic Recycling Center.

Watering

Watering your trees well and regularly is vital, especially with young, newly planted trees. Begin watering your trees when the ground thaws in the spring and continue to the first freeze the following winter. For best results, use 15 gallons per week to water your trees. Flush out any salt accumulated during the winter months, using three to four times the normal weekly amount of water.

Weed, Clean and Fertilize

Weeds, grass and trash around your tree can keep water from reaching the roots. Be sure to remove any blockages as they appear. Fertilizers are not necessary unless there is a specific need. Look for signs that your tree is lacking nutrients in the soil, including dead branches and branch tips; yellow or purple-colored leaves; undersized leaves; or shorter than normal annual twig growth. If you're still in doubt, have an ISA certified arborist inspect your tree and test the soil.

Spot the Spotted Lanternfly

While havingg the appearance of a moth, the Spotted Lanternfly is an invasive planthopper recently discovered in Berks County, Pennsylvania. It is native to China and is the latest threat to trees in the region. Dana Dentice, Urban Forestry Program Manager and ISA certified arborist at PHS, explained, “Right now, although they can be difficult to spot, anybody can be looking for the egg masses laid on trees and scrape them off before they turn into reproducing adults in July. At the Tree Care Update at the Philadelphia Flower Show, you can learn from professionals about the latest research being done and how to manage the insect.”

Attend the Tree Care Update at the Flower Show!

For the 17th year, Bartlett Tree Experts and PHS are hosting the annual Tree Care Update at the 2019 PHS Philadelphia Flower Show on Thursday, March 7. Learn from the professionals about planting and maintaining trees. The seminar will highlight the best practices and latest scientific-based research in arboriculture and horticulture.

“The Tree Care Update is a great opportunity to network with like-minded people in the industry and the urban forest world,” Dana said. “There is great info-sharing and idea-sharing that is fostered throughout the seminar.”

The program for the day includes a line-up of fantastic speakers, including Linda-Chalker Scott, an advocate for science-based horticultural practices. In keeping with this year’s Show theme, “Flower Power,” she will be discussing gardening myths that gained prominence in the ‘60s.

Attendees of the Tree Care Update also receive free admission to the 2019 PHS Philadelphia Flower Show. If you are interested, register here by February 27.  To learn more about tree care, PHS’s Tree Tenders Program offers classes and volunteer opportunities throughout the year.

We invited Nick McCullough, a new Philadelphia Flower Show exhibitor from the Midwest, to share his thoughts about his top pins on Pinterest with us.

By Nick McCullough

Sometimes simpler is better.  This planter was placed beside my front door and resonated with a large crowd on social media through its attainable plantings.  Pinned 500,000 times, it reached a viral status within the first six months of posting. When I took this image, I could not have imagined a planter with three plants could have reached such heights. After breaking down the image, it makes sense. This design is something that can be repeated with relative ease. The plants themselves are readily available to the average gardener through a local garden center. The design is visually appealing because of its texture, color, and foliage. While Tradescantia has a small flower, it’s the foliage, texture and color that make this planter special.

Lastly, this design spans many climate zones. For those in the north, this is a summer planter.  In the south, this planting could last from season to season.

Plants shown here from the bottom up: Dichondra argentea ‘Silver Falls’ (silver ponysfoot), Tradescantia pallida ‘Pink Stripe’ (spiderwort), and Sansevieria trifasciata (mother-in-law’s tongue).

By Raelie Mulvey

It is the busiest time of year for florists. As flower shops across the country gear up for Valentine’s Day and the flood of orders they will receive, some Philadelphia-area floral experts are also prepping busily for a different event: the 2019 PHS Philadelphia Flower Show, “Flower Power.”

“We have to be ready to put things in the Convention Center just eight days after Valentine’s Day,” says Robin Heller of Flowers by David, a Langhorne-based florist who has participated in the Flower Show for the past 23 years.

But first, they must survive the mad rush of February 14. As of February 9, Heller says she has about 40 orders, “but by Valentine’s Day, we’ll have hundreds.” Naturally, roses are in high demand, as are tulips. 

We invited Nick McCullough, a new Flower Show exhibitor from the Midwest, to share his design thoughts with us.

By Nick McCullough

I am so thrilled to be designing a garden for the 2019 Philadelphia Flower Show.  I am a garden designer based in Columbus, Ohio.  I know, it doesn’t sound like an overly exotic location, however, I love the Midwest and it is a great place to garden.  The Greater Philly area holds a fond place in my heart.  It truly is America’s garden capital.  I have been fortunate over the years to travel to the area to explore many of the numerous gardens.  From Scott Arboretum to Longwood, the inspiration abounds!  Obviously, you guys know this.  I must confess, I can never get enough of Chanticleer.  Over the years, I have drawn great inspiration from my visits.

My exhibit at this year’s Flower Show, All Along the Watchtower, is inspired by standing on the Woodstock stage, looking out onto a mass of revelers. I designed this keyhole garden to overwhelm visitors in a haze of purple and riot of textures created by the power of infinite flowers. Reflection tricks the senses to enhance the impact of the blooms, blur boundaries and offer viewers glimpses of themselves within the landscape, emotionally connecting everyone to the garden.  The perimeter evokes the peaceful trance of the unspoiled land prior to the concert.

By Caitlin Gemmi

A great way to breakout of the winter weather blues is by planning your spring garden. Here are some ideas to spark new growth in your yard and containers this year.

Go Organic:

Make your garden more environmentally friendly this spring. By improving your soil using organic fertilizers and mulching. Make it a goal to learn how to create and use compost, which is the best way to recycle yard waste and food scraps. Compost enriches the soil, helps control erosion, and lessens toxins.

Reuse Rain:

To better manage stormwater, you can start a rain garden or invest in a downspout planter. Philadelphia residents can participate in Rain Check, Philadelphia Water’s residential stormwater program managed by PHS with the Sustainable Business Network. This program installs permeable pavers, rain barrels, downspout planters and rain gardens on your property to help soak up the rain, reuse it, and keep stormwater runoff out of the sewers. As Zach Popkin, PHS Program Manager, says, “You can add beauty to your yard while doing something environmentally beneficial. Taking advantage of these options is helpful to your plants and the planet.”

By Janet Evans, Associate Director, PHS McLean Library

Lavish, luscious, beautifully illustrated flower books are mainstays in horticultural and botanical collections, and some wonderful examples from the 18th to 20th centuries are housed in the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s rare book collections.  These works are not only splendid depictions of plants accurately executed by some of the most famous botanical artists of the day; they are, with their detailed, finely crafted engravings and sumptuous paper, wonderful examples of the art of the book.

The public is invited to look at large-format botanical plate books, some nursery catalogs, and herbals in the PHS McLean Library on Wednesday, January 30, at 3 p.m. 

Elizabeth Blackwell’s A Curious Herbal (1737), is a work with a fascinating backstory. Blackwell, who lacked formal training as an artist or botanist, was nevertheless able to quickly produce fine illustrations for her book, motivated by her desperate need for funds to release her ne’er-do-well husband from prison.