By Melissa O’Brien 

PHS has long been a beacon for urban greenery, offering lush public gardens and landscapes that invite locals and tourists alike to step into nature's embrace. Among these gorgeous gardens are the South Street and Manayunk Pop Up Gardens, and the Drexel Gateway Garden. Each of these gardens tells a unique story, crafted with care and creativity by talented designers. Explore the creative minds behind these gardens and get to know two PHS designers, Leah Blanton and Sam Keitch, who contribute to the beauty and functionality of these spaces. 

The Pop Up Garden at South Street: An Urban Oasis 

The PHS Pop Up Garden at South Street offers a unique blend of vibrant plant life and urban retreat, designed by Leah Blanton. This garden is a refuge within the city, where visitors can dine surrounded by nature. 

Design Inspiration

Leah’s vision for South Street revolves around establishing a protected space that is peaceful and comfortable with exceptional tropical plants that double as striking decor.  “South Street’s design is based upon a desire to create a sheltered environment that provides a sense of enclosure and solace within an urban environment. I select plants that have height, large foliage, and interesting textures to emphasize the plants as a bold feature of the space.” 

Noteworthy Plants

Experimentation with hardy tropicals is a hallmark of this garden. Leah shares, “I’ve used the sheltered location to experiment with hardy tropicals like Musa basjoo (Hardy Banana), Sabal minor (Palmetto), and Trachycarpus fortunei (Windmill Palm). There are also many interesting vines, including native honeysuckles, Clematis, and Passionflower varieties.” 

Educational Aspects

With a focus on education, Leah and her team ensure visitors leave with a deeper understanding of horticulture. “With the help of the Pop Up Gardens team, we highlight both current and relevant horticultural information at the gardens through signage. Without sharing this information, we miss an important opportunity to connect with and educate guests about the special horticulture that defines the South Street experience.” 

The Pop Up Garden at Manayunk: Celebrating Native Plants 

The PHS Pop Up Garden at Manayunk is a celebration of native plants and the beauty they bring to urban spaces. Leah Blanton’s design here emphasizes ecological value and regional identity. 

Design Inspiration

Leah’s approach to Manayunk is rooted in native plantings. “Everything in the garden is native, including ecoregion-inspired perimeter beds and containers.” The design focuses on native plants that boost habitat and biodiversity, showcasing both their beauty and benefits. Planting native species supports local ecosystems, providing essential resources for wildlife and promoting a balanced environment. 

Noteworthy Plants

Visitors to Manayunk can expect to see a variety of unique native plants. Leah notes, “There are three types of big leaf magnolia species, trilliums and other spring ephemerals, and several types of oaks.” 

Educational Engagement

Community engagement at Manayunk is crucial for Leah.  “Spreading the message about the design goal of the Manayunk garden — focusing on native species to create habitat, boost biodiversity, and promote a more sustainable approach to planting and maintenance — is essential.” By understanding the benefits of native plants, visitors can appreciate their natural beauty and year-round appeal, as well as their critical role in supporting local ecosystems. 

The Drexel Gateway Garden: A Tapestry of Texture and Resilience 

Located in the bustling area around Drexel University, the Drexel Gateway Garden is a testament to resilient and thoughtful design. Sam Keitch, the visionary behind this space, focuses on creating a robust, low-maintenance garden that thrives despite the urban challenges. 

Design Philosophy

Sam explains, “We’ve been slowly establishing hardy plants, perennials, and ornamental grasses to reduce the area that we need to plant. Typically, we come up with a dominant color theme, focusing heavily on foliar undertones, orange and magenta highlights, and then a predominant flower color for annuals.” 

Seasonal Planting Strategy

For Sam, the balance between aesthetics and practicality is crucial. “We’ve become more focused on less maintenance-intensive species, learning from the last two seasons. Previous plantings were gorgeous but demanded a lot of attention and overall care. Now, we’re thinking about an overall feel to the aesthetic. This year will be much more textural, with more repetition in the containers, and larger drifts of perennials in the ground.”  The garden is now adapted with materials that thrive in full sun-exposed conditions. Strong spring bulbs, like the Drexel-toned daffodils, provide vibrant color. Sam creatively showcases height along Lancaster Walk throughout the different seasons, currently featuring a 3-foot tall Liatris pycnostachya. 

Inspiring Plants

Among the many fascinating plants in the garden, Sam highlights the Echeveria ‘Pearl von Nurnberg’ and Stipa villosum. “Echeveria ‘Pearl von Nurnberg’ is one of my favorite succulents, perfect for the edge of our containers. It’s such a subtle pinkish color that it works with everything. We also just received a grass that will take a month or two to develop, but Stipa villosum is going to add a lot of movement with the wind.” 

A Shared Vision for Urban Green Spaces 

Both Sam and Leah share a passion for creating spaces that are not only beautiful but also sustainable and educational. Through their innovative designs, PHS's public gardens offer visitors a chance to connect with nature, learn about horticulture, and find moments of tranquility in the heart of the city. 

As you explore the South Street and Manayunk Pop Up Gardens and the Drexel Gateway Garden, take a moment to appreciate the thoughtful design and dedication that Sam and Leah bring to these urban sanctuaries. Whether you’re drawn to the vibrant textures, the unique plant species, or the educational aspects, there’s something for everyone to enjoy and take away from these green oases in Philadelphia!