As 2025 comes to a close, we’re reflecting with gratitude, pride, and excitement. In a year marked by change and possibility, PHS continued to expand its impact thanks to the passion, partnership, and support of our incredible community. 

Together, we grew greener neighborhoods, nurtured joyful public spaces, deepened horticultural learning, and strengthened the future of the Philadelphia Flower Show and PHS itself. “Every garden planted, every vacant lot transformed, and every moment shared with our volunteers and supporters shows the power of people and plants working together in harmony,” says Matt Rader, President of PHS. 

Here’s a look back at what we accomplished together this year. 

A Milestone Moment for the Philadelphia Flower Show 

This March, we celebrated a major achievement: the Philadelphia Flower Show returned to pre-pandemic attendance levels. “We can now declare success on navigating the Flower Show through COVID and into an even more vibrant future,” says Matt. The renewed energy was palpable, from the excitement of longtime visitors to the awe on the faces of first-time attendees. 

Behind the scenes, the magic was just as extraordinary. In the quiet hours before opening, hundreds of exhibitors, growers, and volunteers worked with remarkable focus and care. They arrived early to bring in exceptional plants, perfect each display, and ensure every detail was ready for visitors. From grooming petals and polishing leaves to adjusting lighting and final placements, these teams poured heart and expertise into creating exhibits worthy of blue ribbons. Those early-morning hours are a powerful reminder of what makes the Flower Show such a cherished tradition. 

Year-Round Greening Expands Across Philadelphia Neighborhoods

One of our biggest impacts this year came through expanding our vacant land work. With the support of the City of Philadelphia, PHS transitioned from an eight-month schedule to year-round cleaning and greening for the first time ever. This shift means more sustained safety, beautification, and economic benefits for residents across the city. 

In Nicetown and Tioga, we completed Year Three of our Nicetown and Tioga Love Where You Live greening plan and began shaping long-term plans with residents. “Nicetown and Tioga’s Love Where You Live shows how horticulture builds health and well-being at the neighborhood level,” explains Matt. 

Public Gardens That Inspire Joy All Year Long 

From iconic landscapes to hidden gems, our network of public gardens and spaces flourished in 2025. 

We launched new partnerships at the Philadelphia Zoo and Benjamin Rush Garden, while continuing our stewardship of beloved destinations including the Mann Center, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Logan Circle, and PHS Meadowbrook Farm. As the horticulture partner for many of Philadelphia’s most iconic places, PHS ensures that these spaces remain welcoming, ecologically sound, and picture-perfect for everyone who visits. 

One scene Matt often reflects on captures the magic of these places: 
“Walking into Logan Circle during the bulb display and seeing people bending down to take selfies with daffodils and knowing we made that happen; now that’s a moment.” 

These small acts of joy, such as pausing for a photo, admiring a perfect flower, or sharing the moment with someone you love, demonstrate the power plants have to uplift our entire region. Our commitment to caring for these spaces extends beyond plants; it’s about creating daily moments of beauty, connection, and civic pride for millions across the Philadelphia region. 

Growing a Thriving Community of Learners

Education and connection remained central to our mission this year, as we broadened opportunities for people to learn, grow, and come together. In this past year, we: 

• Completed the first full year of Know to Grow, our monthly virtual lecture series featuring acclaimed horticultural experts 
• Expanded hands-on programming in our Pop Up Gardens and public landscapes 
• Hosted popular garden tours 
• Welcomed hundreds of plant lovers to our monthly plant swaps, where enthusiasm and generosity grow side by side 

“This year we really invigorated and expanded the learning experiences we offer our members and the public,” says Matt. Every event helped strengthen the dedicated learning community that powers PHS. 

Celebrating Horticulture’s Power to Change Lives 

2025 was filled with milestones that showcased the transformative potential of plants and people. 

In North Philadelphia, families and supporters came together for a celebration: the graduation of newly trained PHS workforce development participants, ready to begin green careers that promise stability, pride, and community impact. “You see the pride in families, and even the surprise from elected officials at how deeply people care about PHS and its impact,” Matt reflects.

This fall, we also celebrated 20 years of collaboration with Aqua and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, supporting tree planting in watersheds throughout the region. Two decades and tens of thousands of trees and shrubs later, the impact continues to grow.  

Looking Ahead to Our Third Century 

As we move toward our 200th anniversary in 2027, we spent this year imagining PHS’s next era. Beginning in November 2026, we will launch a year-long celebration of our bicentennial by honoring our past, showcasing our present, and revealing an ambitious vision for the future. 

Our goal: to enter our third century more energetic, more innovative, and more impactful than ever before. 

Thank You for Growing This Work with Us 

Every success of 2025 was powered by supporters, volunteers, staff, partners, and neighbors who believe in the mission of PHS. Your generosity and dedication are felt across the region in the clean and greened lots, the blooming parks, the thriving trees, and the inspired new gardeners. 

As we look toward a new year, we invite you to continue embracing gardening as a tool to shape the world you want to see. And if PHS has made an impact in your life, share our mission with someone who may not yet be part of this community.