From the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, Seth Pearsoll, VP and Creative Director of the Philadelphia Flower Show, discussed the 2025 edition, Gardens of Tomorrow and Entrance Garden, “Futura Florentia.” He explains Gardens of Tomorrow will showcase the power of plants, sustainability, and innovation.
We talked about PHS, founded in 1827, to advance the health and well-being of the Greater Philadelphia region.
Started in 1829 the Flower Show showcases diverse and sustainable plant varieties and garden and design concepts across acres of garden displays as well as world-renowned competitions in horticulture and artistic floral arranging, gardening presentations and demonstrations, and special events.
As a fundraiser, the Flower Show supports PHS programming that creates healthier living environments, increases access to fresh food and provides jobs and work programs for youth and the formerly incarcerated. PHS works in over 250 neighborhoods in a network of public gardens and landscapes with year-round programming that includes the Tree Tenders, putting trees to cool and beautify neighborhoods, planting public gardens in vacant lots and delivering horticulture programs to schools.
Now in its 196th year, The PHS Philadelphia Flower Show is the premiere horticultural event of its kind in the United States and one of the world’s most recognized, drawing exhibitors and visitors from around the globe and pumping over 65 million into the city economy.
In addition to the professional exhibitors, local high school and college horticulturists from Lankenau High School Mercer County Community College, The Lakeside School, Temple University and Delaware Valley University will offer future-focused environmental and sustainability displays. For the first time, the Flower Show will feature a student-created floral exhibition by Bucks County Community College’s Floral Design Program.
The educational lecture series, Know to Grow, returns with industry experts leading presentations on topics including garden design, vegetable gardening, native plants, container gardening, shade gardening and houseplants.
Great Grow Along – the world’s largest virtual garden festival, will present a gardening experts and authors sharing tips, ideas, and inspiration for your home garden.
In addition to the Hamilton Court juried plant competition and the vendor marketplace there will be special activities through the week. At Artisan Row guests can work side-by-side with 8 artisans to create fresh floral crowns, Flower Show candles, custom scents, fresh and dried bouquets, terrariums, hand painted vases, botanical jewelry, custom hats, bags and more.
Butterflies Live! returns with a butterfly kiosk shop at the end. Families can enjoy the free Kids Cocoon, a kid-focused play space in partnership with The Franklin Institute where they can plant seedlings, enjoy story time, and participate in activities 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, excluding Sunday, March 9. Kids Cocoon will feature a Flower Show-themed version of TFI’s Creation Station, where children can create floral-inspired masterpieces using LEGO® bricks.
At Bloom Bar and pop-up Bloom Bar carts you can purchase pre-assembled, fresh floral crowns in the heart of the Show floor. At Family Frolic Sunday, March 2 there will be hands-on activities and entertainment for families with programming and activities in partnership with museums, nonprofits, and universities; Blossom and Breathe on Friday, March 7 with wellness vendors and yoga in a botanical bazaar, and the popular
Flowers After Hours after-hours dance party Saturday, March 8! They invite you to dress in your boldest, most eccentric best, and enjoy alien encounter photo ops, galaxy-inspired cocktails, and a space fashion show. Plus, music will be curated by SNACKTIME, the live band for “They Call it Late Night” with Jason Kelce on ESPN, and DJs: Muhammad Carr, Lady B and Touchtone, and Val Fleury.
Members can visit the show on Friday, February 29 before the annual Gala, and PHS will again offer Early Morning Tours and Early Morning Photography Tours.
Members also enjoy discounts at the show and a members lounge with special private lectures. For information about membership and PHS programming throughout the year, as well as Flower Show tours and Gala and Flowers After Hours tickets go to PHSonline.org.