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An exhibit at the Philadelphia Flower Show called The Nexus -- located near the entrance tunnel that features light, water and a giant magenta floral chandelier -- exemplifies the spirit of this year’s Gardens of Tomorrow theme.
Schaffer Designs describes the Nexus as representing “the intersection of natural and urban landscapes, organic and synthetic, past and future. It envisions a world where flowers persist, adapting to new environments and merging with technology to redefine beauty.” The display features a rainbow of geometric neon-colored lighting. Flowers are intertwined with wires, poles, mesh and other technical-looking apparatus. It feels recycled and apocalyptic, past and futuristic at the same time.
Conjuring the future creates different images for each person. The topic itself can be both doomsday and hopeful. That’s the vibe I got at the flower show although famous designers were able to pin more on the hopeful side.
A Tomorrowland-like theme allows designers to imagine almost anything, encouraging everything from fantastical to wellness-themed creations. The show engaged world-renowned floral artists including Lily Beelen, Mike Boerma, Berit Laursen and Ahti Lyra to interpret the future with designs symbolizing hope, resilience and the promise of what’s to come. Japanese designer Kazuyuki Ishihara and West Coast artist Iftikhar Ahmed teamed to tackle the challenge of climate change with a two-tiered garden suggesting how interconnected landscapes can uplift and sustain one another in “Tomorrow’s Eden.”
The show promotes thoughtful actions in the present to nurture a healthier planet. It “highlights the transformative power of plants and inspires us to create a beautiful, more resilient future together,” says Seth Pearsoll, VP and creative director of the show.
A façade of a white home with overflowing colorful flower planters at each window says it is welcoming wildlife home to maintain a healthy, thriving ecosystem grounded in biodiversity. Nearby, an elaborate table is set with stunning floral centerpieces and seats taken by wildlife creatures, redolent of a trip down the rabbit hole with Alice.
Meadows of wildflowers inspired by an NPR story of a Vermont Covid meadow that became a bridge to community feel like a hallucinogenic dream. Other exhibits acknowledge the need for nature to adapt in an artificial world. Rigid lines and bright lights create the desired tension.
Some exhibits are heavenly, others are wild and untamed in appearance. The Field of Vision looks to 2050 when it says 68% of people will live in urban areas with lack of water and shade overarching issues. These gardens use recycled materials in communal greenspaces, capturing rainwater in ponds for use in gardens.
While the theme can be almost grim and weighty, it is offset by a carnival of color and creativity that also breeds hope for the future. An elk and a mountain bike welcome visitors to the Visit PA exhibit for The Great American Getaway bringing visitors back to the welcome reality of the beauty of today’s state of Pennsylvania.
Flower show staples: No flower show would be complete without beds of tulips in a full array of colors, orchids, succulents and art. Judges wander through the Hamilton Horticourt carefully considering the talents of amateur and expert gardeners to determine the Blue Ribbon winners. The secondary school portraits created from pressed flower pieces were museum worthy, like moody Picasso mosaics. Speakers are scheduled throughout and children can touch everything at the Kids’ Cocoon. Information booths and expert guidance at the “We Speak Plants” stand offer advice and something for everyone.
Almost nectar? A most appropriate pit stop features the loveliest of tree fruits, the juniper berry (technically they are cones), featured in cocktails at the Hendrick’s Gin stand. It’s a must refresher for a foot weary excursion into sensory overload.
My heart’s fluttering: Perhaps my most futurist experience was the Butterfly Live exhibit, a mesh building filled with all varieties of fritillaries, swallowtails and more. Each entrant is presented with a Q-tip that’s been dipped in sugar water and is invited to tempt butterflies to alight. The butterflies arrive at the tent before the show starts, already fully-emerged butterflies, but in a cooled comatose sleeping state almost like sci-fi cryogenics. They are warmed and awakened and released in great numbers to flit about the delighted visitors.
Best Advice: Bring an empty tote bag to haul home some of the goodies you can buy in the Marketplace and Maker’s Market with curated artists. You’ll find everything from yurts (OK, they’re not going to fit in your tote bag) to honey to shoes made from recycled pumpkin seeds and eucalyptus to flower seeds to stunning Susho embroidered silk art to food treats.
Record-setting history: Started in 1829, the PHS Philadelphia Flower Show is the nation’s largest and world’s longest-running horticultural event. The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, founded in 1827, offers gardening opportunities and expertise to communities in the Greater Philadelphia region with a goal of creating healthier environments and access to fresh food.
If You’re Going: The show opens to the public today and runs through March 8 from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. daily and March 9 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. A variety of ticket price options are available. Tickets are available at https://tickets.phsonline.org. Flower show information is available at https://phsonline.org/the-flower-show.
Let’s Dance: On March 9 from 8:30-11:30 p.m., Flowers After Hours is a 21+ dance party with 80s and 90s pop culture meshed with futuristic aesthetics and DJ music curated by SNACKTIME.
