‘Philadelphia Flower Show – Habitat: Nature’s Masterpiece At FDR Park’
The Philadelphia Flower Show is known as the largest indoor flower show in the world, but this year’s show will be outdoors!
The 2021 Philadelphia Flower Show will make history, giving guests a chance to experience the beautiful vistas and rolling landscape of FDR Park – a registered historical district – as the Show moves outdoors for the first time in history. Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted – one of the designers of New York City’s famed Central Park – the park was the host location for the 1926 Sesquicentennial Expo of the United States. FDR Park is an inspiring venue that contributes to the splendor that the Flower Show is known for, while also being easily accessible by public transportation and car.
The Philadelphia Flower Show Experience and Atmosphere
The Show has been re-imagined to allow for a new, safe experience in a historic Philadelphia park to embrace the beauty and horticultural inspiration that guests have experienced for 193 years. It will feature the most designers, gardens, and floral displays in the Show’s history, with over 75 unique installations for guests to see and interact with, spanning the Show’s 15-acre outdoor footprint.
The Flower Show “footprint” will span 15 acres of FDR Park’s 348 acres parallel to Pattison Avenue allowing the vast majority of FDR Park and its amenities to remain accessible to the public during the Flower Show dates.
The show will feature an impressive lineup of 34 major exhibitors, whose displays average approximately 1000 square feet. Almost half of these will consist of the large-scale, ornate displays that the Flower Show is famed for. This year, these sizable and imaginative floral and landscape creations are inspired by the Show’s outdoor setting and the late-blooming spring season.
The show will also welcome 8 brand-new major exhibitors displaying gardens at the Show for the first time. These fresh voices represent varied styles and artistic viewpoints that stem from each exhibitor’s personal and creative background. From sculptural, majestic floral design, to the usage of superb low maintenance native plants in innovative configurations and layouts, each garden design reflects a unique aesthetic that will delight guests.
Flower Show Districts
This year’s Flower Show will feature three unique Districts that focus on the interests of gardening enthusiasts at all skill levels. Each District will have an integrated set of characteristics that include floral and plant displays; shopping; education; interactive experiences; and themed food and beverage options. The three Districts include:
- Design District: the stunning centerpiece of the Show that provides guests with a 360° view of large-scale floral and landscape displays
- Plant District: a showcase of plants at their peak of perfection
- Garden District: the educational area of the Show where guests learn how to bring new gardening ideas to life at home; Potting Parties will be presented by Subaru in this area
In addition to the floral, plant, and landscape displays across the Show grounds, other areas will engage gardeners during Show dates, including:
- Gardeners’ Green: as a testament to a historic public commons area, the Gardener’s Green space will showcase beautiful, creative, sustainable, and practical approaches to enhancing everyday living through horticulture – from front yards, to kitchen gardens, edible landscaping, even rain gardens. Experts will be on hand to customize guest visits, answer questions, and share techniques and ideas with downloadable subject guides tailored to plant lovers’ needs.
- PHS Members’ Lounge: this area will include curated selections from the PHS McLean Library for garden enthusiasts to enjoy
- PHS Shop: the onsite destination for Show-specific merchandise
The Philadelphia Flower Show’s Special Events and Activities
There is more than just the amazing exhibits at the Flower Show. There will be themed nights, activities, and much more.
• Pre-View Party: March 1 ~ Starting at 7 pm. Experience the beautiful designs and displays of the Flower Show before it opens to the public. Proceeds from the black-tie fundraiser will benefit the greening initiatives of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. There will be Best in Show awards, drinks and food and live music. For info & tickets, click here.
• Butterflies Live: June 4 – 13 ~ June 4 is only for members. Back by popular demand, experience the wonder of native butterflies in a natural setting. New in 2021, daily conversations focusing on native butterflies and pollinator plants will take place. For more info & tickets, click here.
• Park Picnic: June 5 – 13 ~ Guests will be able to pre-order picnic totes when purchasing their Flower Show tickets and pick up orders when they arrive at the Show. Totes will include an array of delicious food and optional spirits, that are perfect for sharing! For more info & tickets, click here.
• Early Morning Tours: June 6 – 13 ~ Guided early morning tours are led by expert docents and veteran Flower Show enthusiasts. Start your day at the Flower Show hours before the general public listening to fascinating stories about the Show exhibits, design inspiration and challenges, Flower Show history, and more! ~ More info & tickets ~
For more events, click here.
Flower Show Health and Safety Protocols
The following measures will be in place for Show visitors with updated guidance provided on the PHS website all the way up to and including Show dates:
- Timed and dated tickets must be reserved in advance at org/flowershow or from one of the PHS official sales outlets at: ACME Markets or AAA
- Daily attendance caps will allow for social distancing
- Masks are required for entry and the duration of the show visit
- Cleaning regimens will operate on an enhanced schedule to ensure sanitizing of all public areas
All visitors will be advised of these measures and the need for self-monitoring of their health prior to attendance.
History of Philadelphia Flower Show
Philadelphia paved the way in improving the quality of life and creating a sense of community through horticulture when the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society was founded in 1827. Philly being the first horticultural society in America. After that, the nation’s first flower show was held in Philadelphia in 1829 which showcased many exotic and native plants from the society members. In 1968, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) become the official producer of the Philadelphia Flower Show.
The flower show brings in a lot of funds from such things as ticket sales, sponsorship contributions, and exhibitors. All the proceeds support the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and helps fund PHS’s outreach programs including Philadelphia Green, the nation’s largest and most comprehensive neighborhood greening program. This specific program helps plant street trees, maintaining neighborhood parks, and creating vegetable and flower gardens. Not only is the Philadelphia Flower Show an excellent time, but that it gives back to many communities in one way or another.
FDR PARK
Franklin Delano Roosevelt Park (FDR Park) is Philadelphia’s iconic 348-acre park carved out of the tidal marshes in South Philadelphia. Designed by the Olmsted Brothers in 1914, FDR Park’s sequence of picturesque lakes with adjacent lawns are connected by a network of carriage and foot paths. In 1926, the park hosted the national Sesquicentennial Exhibition and several grand civic buildings, including the iconic Boathouse, opened for the first time.
Today, FDR Park hosts a playground, 4 baseball diamonds, a renowned skate park, a network of lakes, the Swedish American Museum, and 126 acres of woodland. In 2019, after engaging with nearly 3,000 community members and stakeholders, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and the Fairmount Park Conservancy published a master plan to reimagine a historic Olmsted Park to serve 21st century Philadelphians. The plan, designed by WRT, creates an ecologically sustainable vision for FDR Park that inspires investment, meets the needs of all users today and tomorrow, and focuses on resiliency in the face of a changing climate.
Location
FDR Park
1500 Pattison Avenue & S Broad St
Philadelphia, PA 19145
Date
June 5 – 13, 2021
Hours
Saturday, June 5 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Morning Session: 8:00 am – 1:00 pm (must enter by 12:30 pm)
Afternoon Session: 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm (must enter by 4:30 pm)
Sunday, June 6 through Sunday, June 13 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
Morning Session: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm (must enter by 1:30 pm)
Afternoon Session: 2:00 pm – 7:00 pm (must enter by 6:30 pm)
*Last entry each day is 30 minutes prior to the end of each session.
Costs
Adults: $45
Young Friend (18-29): $30
Child (5-17): $20
Admission for children ages four (4) and under is free. Young Friends tickets are only available during weekdays in the afternoon sessions.
Tickets
- 2021 Philadelphia Flower Show Ticket Info (or click our Flower Show banner)
- 2021 Philadelphia Flower Show Tickets to Purchase
Website
Photo: Rendition by Rob Cardillo Photography
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