Wendy Floral: Philly flower show sees the light of day

It’s better to be outside. That is surely one of the central takeaways from the past year. Rather than simply cancel its annual late winter event, which has been held for 193 years, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society decided to hold its 2021 flower show later, outdoors, at Olmsted-designed FDR Park in South Philly. The show is entitled “Habitat: Nature’s Masterpiece.”

Soon after entering, I saw an old friend, sculpture by Dorothy Gillespie, which I knew from my museum days.

But is it always better? Sometimes not, as waterlogged attendees found out Tuesday, June 8, when thunderstorms forced an evacuation of the site. I was much luckier. The day I attended, Saturday, June 12, was beautiful: clear skies and temps in the 70s. I was also let in early, before the official opening, avoiding the hordes I saw surging toward the entrance as I was departing.

Nomad Studio’s Kokedama Forest

On Saturday, it felt good to be outside, surrounded by bright banners, strolling performers, helpful volunteers, and, of course, flowers. The show was divided into three “districts”—Design, Garden, and Plant—with Design, at the center, the largest. This is where all the installations by designers were, a long green space surrounded by walkways and vendor tents. The installations had to be larger than usual—the outdoor location increased the footprint of the show by nearly fifty percent—but they were not unlike what might be seen at an indoor show. Indeed, some could easily be recreated in March, indoors. I’m thinking of the Kokedama Forest (above) and the Designer’s Habitat (below). I liked the spectacular Forest, the Habitat not quite as well, though it had a certain wit.

Schaffer Design’s A Designer’s Habitat

Etherea

With many installations, however, the June timing and the larger space meant a much larger range of plants, not the usual flowering bulbs and boringly limited shrubs. Wambui Ippolito’s Etherea (above), which won Best in Show, was filled with lush grasses, shrubs, roses, and perennials (foxglove, phlox, salvia, verbena bonariensis). She says she wanted to make something people could recreate for themselves, and—maybe aside from the artful Cor-Ten steel and wooden hardscape elements—it could be. And should be: it is lovely.

Donald Pell Gardens’ The Wild Garden

Several installations featured seated areas protected and surrounded by greenery of all types; they deliberately invoked the idea of serenity and safety in the middle of a protective wilderness. Many others evoked healthy habitats for all creatures, a long-running theme throughout the green industry, so long-running that it is now seldom omitted from any flower show entry.

Treeline Designz’ Dancing with Nature

I was glad to leave the largest indoor element of the show, the loudly ventilated Horticourt, though it did include some lovely displays, especially those framed by windows. And it was much more difficult to get good photos, as is always the case with artificially lit flora, unless you’re a pro with professional equipment.

Everson Garden Club’s Messengers of Hope

The Garden section included some charming displays from area garden clubs and college/high school students, while the Plant District had some societies and plant vendors, with, of course, more of a selection than you’d have in March. And everywhere there were inviting spots to sit down and have a drink or a snack. I’m thinking that the PHS store had more space than usual, but here’s where I have to confess that I’ve never seen the indoor show and can’t compare.

All I know is, it felt good to be outside.