Habitat is set in FDR Park, regardless of the elements

Overall, we’ve all spent more time embracing nature and the outdoors in quarantine. Proof: local trail use increased 138% last year. So how has nature taken over the Flower Show?

The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) decided to make the move outside for the 2021 Philadelphia Flower Show due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Its theme, HABITAT: Nature’s Masterpiece, fits the setting perfectly in FDR Park. We attended the press preview on Friday before the crowds arrived (and snafus) to see the exhibits and vendors.

“With the theme of habitat and with the exhibitors that we’ve been able to attract, there’s much more content here that gets people thinking about the role horticulture plays in creating a healthy environment and healthy habitat for all of us,” said PHS President, Matthew Rader.

Exhibits are sprinkled through FDR park, along with vendors, food and drinks, and places to rest. “Seeing a garden with air moving with light even yesterday morning in the mist is spectacular and you just understand plants in a different way,” said Rader.

Despite the change to the outdoors, Rader said the plan is for a March 2022 show back at the Convention Center, although PHS has not announced a date yet.

Unique features of the Philadelphia Flower Show 2021

The Trust for Public Land hosts a Heat Response PHL exhibit to inform community members about extreme heat and its disproportionate impact on communities of color across Philadelphia and offer ways to cool their neighborhoods. In addition to the exhibit, Heat Response PHL has partnered with Temple University’s Tyler School and other local organizations to host workshops and webinars about the project.

The Flower Show typically offers convention food, with local purveyors like DiBruno Brothers. This year, there are new local and sustainable offerings like Simply Good Jars.

Conrad Benner of Streets Dept also presented a trio of murals “Streets Dept Walls: BLOOM,” a celebration of nature and our public space. Featured artists include A’Driane Nieves, Dora Cuenca, and Le Josh.

As always, the Flower Show hosts several exhibits and creative displays, like this Faraway, So Close display. It’s described as exaggerated examples of how we’ve all nestled in our own spaces during the pandemic, bringing nature into our own spaces.

If you go

The Philadelphia Flower show is now through Sunday, June 13th at FDR Park in South Philadelphia.

@greenphilly

A sneak peek of the 2021 PHS Philadelphia Flower Show #philadelphia #visitphilly #philly #flower

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Julie Hancher is the co-founder and Executive Director of Green Philly, an independent media organization making sustainability accessible, affordable and actionable. Since launching Green Philly in 2008, she has grown it from a passion project into a leading voice for local climate storytelling, pairing impactful journalism with community events and experiences. Julie is a frequent speaker on climate, media innovation and the future of local journalism, and is the creator of SustainPHL and EcoFair. Outside of Green Philly, you can find her hiking, biking, traveling, or exploring Philadelphia. View all posts by Julie Hancher