Flower Show Among “100 Best Events for 2010″

The American Bus Association, which represents nearly 1,000 motorcoach and tour companies in the United States and Canada, has announced that the 2010 Philadelphia International Flower Show has been designated as one of the “Top 100 Events in North America for 2010.”

“The attractiveness of the Philadelphia International Flower Show as a don’t-miss entertainment value is only part of why its selection is such a distinction,” said Peter J. Pantuso, ABA’s president and CEO. “The real news here is that the Flower Show has been recognized as a potential magnet for tourism dollars at a time when reenergizing domestic tourism is so important to our spirit and our economy.”

Lounge with Lions on Nov. 4

Please join PHS for a fun and exotic brown bag lunch at noon on Nov. 4  for “Lounging with Lions: A Month in Zimbabwe” in the PHS Auditorium at 20th and Arch streets.

With the 2010 Flower Show theme “Passport to the World,” this talk is a part of a series of brown bag lunches featuring journeys to exotic lands. The cost is $5. Get a stamp for all the lunches you attend and if you see them all, the last one is free!

For more info and to register, please e-mail Carol Dutill at:
Programreg@pennhort.org or 215-988-8869

World Bazaar Coming to Flower Show!

In keeping with this year’s Flower Show theme, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society is creating a new shopping area called the World Bazaar.

The Bazaar, which will be located directly across from the Main Show entrance at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, will hold a bustling international market that will delight and inspire visitors with exotic items for sale from around the world.

Stay tuned for more details! For more info on all shopping at the Show, click here.

Proceeds from the Philadelphia International Flower Show make it possible for The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society to pursue many activities that benefit its members and the community, including its Philadelphia Green neighborhood greening and public landscapes projects.

PHS Announces Greening Champions Across Pa., Del., and N.J.

The Young Life of the Steel Valley Community Garden in Homestead, Pa. earned a Community Greening Award. The former vacant and trash-strewn brownfield site connects to the Homestead Business District and serves as a location for job readiness training for at-risk youth.

Young Life Youth are learning landscaping and horticulture skills.

You’ve heard about the City Gardens Contest. Now it’s time to release the winners of PHS’s  Community Greening Award, which honors greening champions across Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey.

The award recognizes individuals, garden clubs, civic associations, businesses, municipalities and community groups who have created and maintained public green spaces that enhance their communities.

“We would like to congratulate all of the Community Greening Award participants for the impact they have made in their communities,” said Blaine Bonham, executive vice president of PHS.  “Studies show quality green spaces enhance the health, beauty and economic vitality of an area and often serve as meeting places. This award represents a mark of excellence.”

Young Friends Learn about Hungry Plants

Anyone who enters plants in the Philadelphia International Flower Show may be curious to learn more about the most sinister members of the horticultural world: carnivorous plants! Join the PHS Young Friends on November 6 from 6 pm to 9 pm when the group will get up close and personal with the freaky and fascinating species.

Young Friends will meet at the Chemical Heritage Foundation to view the ’sLowlife’ exhibit, where CHF staff will share spectacular stories and lead a carnivorous plant feeding demonstration. You will also get tips on how to care for and house these hungry creatures. Afterwards, celebrate fall with PHS Young Friends over drinks at National Mechanics!

RSVP by sending an email to youngfriends@pennhort.org. The exhibit is free and the event is open to any and everyone.

Sneak Peek – Visit to Flower Show award winner Michael Bruce’s house

Submission by guest blogger – Leslie Ferebee, PHS Sr. Shows Special Events Coordinator

Michael demonstrates how an artichoke will make a perfect addition to his fall arrangement.

On Tuesday, Sept. 16, award-winning Flower Show Major Floral Exhibitor Michael Bruce hosted a committee visit to his house in Westmont, New Jersey. The event was titled “Proper Props: Plants in Pots – Making Garden Rooms.” Michael wanted us to see his gardens and share with us tips and tricks for using “props” in your garden. 

How to Enter the Flower Show

If you’ve never entered the Flower Show but have always been interested, here’s a quick quide on how to exhibit plants at the 2010 Philadelphia International Flower Show.

First of all, it’s easy, and anyone can enter! You don’t have to be a member of PHS (although members do get a fabulous plant each year as one of the many member benefits) or a garden club in order to enter plants in the Show. There is no fee to enter the competition.

Plants must be ready for “prime time.” If you have a spectacular plant—with many blooms, well-shaped leaves, or unusual characteristics—it could be a candidate. At the Show, plants are judged on healthy growth, grooming, distinctiveness and maturity. The rarity of a plant, or how difficult it is to grow, may also factor in the judging.

Many friendly, experienced volunteers will be on hand at the Show to help you through the entry process.

Most importantly, have fun! You are part of a tradition that started in 1829!

 

Calling All Store-Front Businessses

The 2010 International Flower Show is looking for entrants for its 15th Annual Phlower Power Window Decorating Contest. Be a part of the fun!

“Passport to the World,” to be held Feb. 28- March 7 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, will take visitors on an exotic journey to dozens of destinations around the globe.

For more information and to download an entry form, please visit the here  or contact Laura Hoover at lhoover@pennhort.org.

Proceeds of the Flower Show go to Philadelphia Green, PHS’s acclaimed program and the nation’s largest comprehensive community greening program that serves as a model for cities across the U.S.

Flower Show Week generates an economic impact of $35 million for the City of Philadelphia.

Getting Ready for the Black-Tie Preview Party

From top to bottom: PHS Council Chair John Ball and his wife, Elinor, Preview Party Committee Chair Roberta Dranoff and her husband, Carl, PHS President Jane Pepper, Flower Show Executive Committee member Barbara Meyers, and Prevew Party Vice-Chair Linda Galante.

Against the backdrop of the city skyline, Carl and Roberta Dranoff hosted a cocktail reception for the 2010 Philadelphia International Flower Show Preview Party Committee at their Symphony House home on Oct. 18.

Guests enjoyed the view, sipped on cocktails, feasted on food catered by The Frog Commissary and learned details of the 2010 Philadelphia Flower Show “Passport to the World.”

The committee helps to plan the black-tie event that benefits PHS’s Philadelphia Green program. The Party will be held Saturday Feb. 27, 2010 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.  For more info on the party, please visit here.

Flower Show Tickets Make Great Gifts!

 

E- tickets to the 2010 Philadelphia International Flower Show, “Passport to the World,” are now available online!  Special ticket prices are available for students, families, groups and more. Save by buying in advance.

Don’t forget, Flower Show tickets make great gifts. Gift-givers can now personalize each ticket with a name or gift message.  Enjoy!