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The Flower Show

PHS Citywide Gardening Challenge

phs 6 17 25 lwyl curb appeal challenge credit morgan horell morganhorellphoto 043

Take a moment to explore the garden categories and size guidelines below. This will help you start thinking about which category and size best reflects your space when it’s time to enter. Each entry may be submitted in one category only, so please choose the one that you feel best captures the primary purpose or design of your garden.
 

Step 1: Explore Garden Sizes and Categories
 

Size of Your Garden*

  • Small: Less than 30 square feet
  • Medium: Between 30 and 100 square
  • Large: More than 100 square feet

*Not sure? An approximate estimate is perfectly fine.
 

Categories

A garden primarily planted with flowers and ornamental plants, including annuals, perennials, bulbs, shrubs, or flowering vines grown for color, beauty, and seasonal interest.

A garden focused on growing edible plants such as vegetables, herbs, fruits, or kitchen staples for harvesting and use at home.

A garden that includes both flowers and edible plants, such as vegetables, herbs, fruits

A garden grown primarily in containers rather than in-ground beds, including window boxes, decorative pots, hanging baskets, porch planters, raised containers, and displays that incorporate some or all of these elements.

A garden designed to support birds, bees, butterflies, and other beneficial wildlife through native plants, nectar-rich flowers, host plants, water sources, or habitat-friendly features.


Step 2: Register for Citywide Gardening Challenge

May 13 – June 22, 2026
Once you’ve selected your garden category and size, it’s time to register for the Challenge! Registration is quick and does not require photos. By registering, you will receive:

  • Seasonal gardening tips
  • Submission reminders
  • Photography tips

This step ensures you are fully prepared when it’s time to submit your official entry.

PLEASE NOTE: Registration is now closed.


Step 3: Upload Your Photos

June 23 – July 6, 2026
To officially enter the Challenge, you must complete 2 steps:

  • Complete the registration form.
  • Registered participants will receive a link to upload 3-6 photos of their garden in their selected category.
  • Gardens need time to grow in! During these few weeks, let your garden settle in and mature while we supply you with tips! When you are ready, upload your photos!
  • Your entry is considered complete once the registration and photo upload are done by July 6.


Step 4: Judging

July 7 – August 15, 2026
Judging takes place in two rounds:

  • Round 1: Photo Review (July 7 – 14)
    Judges review submissions and select finalists.
  • Round 2: In-Person Visits (July 15 – August 15)
    Finalists will be contacted to schedule a garden visit.


Step 5: Winners & Celebration

September 2 – 4, 2026
Winners will be notified via email, and finalists will be invited to a special celebration event (date TBD).
 

The PHS Citywide Gardening Challenge has been supported by The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage.
The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage is a multidisciplinary grantmaker and hub for knowledge-sharing, funded by The Pew Charitable Trusts, and dedicated to fostering a vibrant cultural community in Greater Philadelphia. The Center invests in ambitious, imaginative, and catalytic work that showcases the region’s cultural vitality and enhances public life, and engages in an exchange of ideas concerning artistic and interpretive practice with a broad network of cultural practitioners and leaders.