Have you had enough of the snow and ice?  It’s time to think about spring.

The 2015 Philadelphia Flower Show has just what you need.  Have you ever dreamed of walking down the red carpet of a movie premier? Want to see the gowns worn by the starlets in your favorite all time movies?

The Philadelphia Horticultural Society (PHS) has made it possible to live your dreams at the 187th Philadelphia Flower Show, Celebrate the Movies. The PA Convention Center has been transformed into a garden of delights. The creative use of thousands of beautiful flora and greenery takes your breath away.

From “Frozen” to “Into the Woods” you will be inspired by the creations of world class landscapers. The young and young-at-heart can see their favorite Disney/Pixar movie set interpretation. The spectacular use of flowers transported us to the New Year’s Day Rose Parade in our own backyard.

Along with the landscapes, there is a Butterfly exhibit to walk through with more than 1,000 rare butterflies. Gene London, former Philadelphia children’s show host, has brought 55 of the actual costumes worn in the Golden Age of movies  to the Philadelphia Flower Show. You can see original costumes from Gone with the Wind and Marilyn Monroe’s Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.

Make sure you download the Flower Show app on your iOS or android device to find up to date schedules, maps, shopping discounts plus so much more. (Find it on the PHS website.)

Theme days at the flower show!

This year there are additional events added to the Special Events at the Flower show.

• Friday, February 27 – Black Tie Gala.*
• Saturday, February 28 – Opening day for general public 11:00 AM. The red carpet is rolled out for you.
• Sunday, March 1 – Run Into Spring 5K – 7:00 AM – the course is fast and flat on closed streets through Philadelphia.*
•  LGBT Party from 4:00 – 6:00 PM – cocktails and entertainment.*
• Wednesday, March 4 – Wedding Wednesday 6:00 – 8:00 PM – brides can obtain advice on all things wedding*
• Thursday, March 5 – Girls Night Out  5:30 – 8:00 PM – exclusive shopping, food and wine.*
• College Night 5:30 – 8:00 PM –  movies, music and entertainment and giveaways are part of this event.*
• Friday, March 6 – Fido Friday – Yappy Hour begins at 6:00 PM.
• Saturday, March 7 is “Wellness Day” all day long; Free with Flower Show admission.
• Sunday, March 8 is Cinderella Sunday all day long – princesses and princes of all ages are invited to come dressed as their favorite royalty.  Guests can take pictures with Cinderella.

* Tickets must be purchased separately, does include admission to flower show, prices vary for each event.  For more details on these events, please look on the PHS website.

Supporting Green at the flower show!

Since we’re all about being Green, PHS is one of the leaders in Philadelphia.   Little known facts about the Flower Show: all of the plants are grown organically, no growth hormones, GMO’s or insecticides are used to propagate the plants.

When the show is over, over 80% of the materials used in the show are recycled. Some of the larger specimens are returned to the nurseries and sold, with many of the flowers and plants are used for compost or mulch. PHS community gardens use materials they find at the show to enhance their gardens and grow plants in the coming year.

Green Mountain Energy is helping through wind power to power most of the exhibits.

Food and Drink

There are 17 restaurants, diners, coffee, candy and ice cream shops to satisfy the palate of everyone. Part of the proceeds from the food and beverage sales will benefit the PHS programs, including City Harvest.  Two specialty cocktails will be served during the show, including the “7-year itch,” a traditional whiskey sour, and the “Casablanca,” a delicious blend of lemon juice, gin and champagne.

FINE WINE & GOOD SPIRITS  will present wine and spirit tastings, on on-site store, and special celebrity appearances and bottle signings.  DAN AYKROYD and his Crystal Skull Vodka will make an appearance on March 6 and sign bottles for his fans.  ETHAN WAYNE, son of John Wayne, will sign bottles of his Duke Bourbon on February 28.

PHS in partnership with Wyndridge Farms of York County, PA will introduce a farmhouse-style hard cider called PHS Horticulture Cider at the show.  You can obtain a single bottle, six pack or by the case at the PHS Pop Up Garden in the Backlot and by glass at locations throughout the Convention Center.

sneak peek at the exhibits

Michael Petrie”s Handmade Gardens in Swarthmore used “Into the Woods” as his inspiration.   You have to peek around corners to see if you can see any fairy tale characters hiding.  The magnificent specimens he uses evokes the fairy tales of our youth.

Stoney Bank  Nurseries of Glen Mills, PA uses tropical greenery and water to evoke the oriental movie “Mulan.”  Filled with rare plants from China and other parts of Asia, this display is tranquil and peaceful, yet full of symbolism.

Find yourself immersed with Remy in underground Paris looking for inspiration for his party in this  take of  “Ratatouille.” The use of roses and plants by Flowers by David in Langhorne, PA reminds you of a Parisian party.

The Men’s Garden Club of Philadelphia has given us a jungle theme of Tarzan.  The waterfall, pond and lush tropical plants evoke an adventure waiting to happen.

Part of the spectacular Gene London, Golden Age costumes.

This is just a small peek at some of the fifty exhibitors at the PHS 187th Flower show.  Let us know if you agree with the judges on the awards handed out.  With so much to see and do, you may need to come back a second day.

Hope to see you on the Red Carpet!

Philadelphia Flower Show: Info

• What: 2015 PHS Flower Show
• When: Saturday, February 28; 11:00 am – 9:00 pm, Sunday, March 1; 8:00 am – 9:00 pm, Monday – Friday, March 2-6; 10:00 am – 9:00 pm, Saturday, March 7; 8:00 am – 9:00 pm, Sunday, March 8; 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
• Where: Pennsylvania Convention Center, 12th & Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
• Tickets: Adult $32*, Student $22*, Child $17*

Enter to Win Flower Show Tickets Want to win tickets to the Flower Show? Enter to win tickets below: a Rafflecopter giveaway

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