Editing Philadelphia Flower Show

{{Infobox Event
| name = Philadelphia Flower Show
| image =
| image_caption = Flower Show display
| founded = 1829
| organizer = Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
| location = Pennsylvania Convention Center
| frequency = Annual (March)
| attendance = 250,000+
| website = https://www.theflowershow.com
}}

The '''Philadelphia Flower Show''' is the '''world's largest and longest-running horticultural event''', attracting over '''250,000 visitors''' annually since '''1829'''. Organized by the '''Pennsylvania Horticultural Society''' (PHS), the show transforms the '''Pennsylvania Convention Center''' into a '''10-acre indoor garden''' featuring elaborate themed displays, competitive exhibitions, and thousands of plant varieties. Each year's show follows a '''theme''' that inspires massive installations, from tropical paradises to European gardens. The Flower Show launches the spring season in Philadelphia and generates an estimated '''$70 million''' in economic impact for the region.<ref name="flowershow">{{cite web |url=https://www.theflowershow.com |title=Philadelphia Flower Show |publisher=Pennsylvania Horticultural Society |access-date=December 31, 2025}}</ref>

== History ==

=== Origins (1829) ===

'''First show:'''
* Founded 1829
* Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
* America's first flower show
* Masonic Hall venue

=== 19th Century ===

'''Growth:'''
* Annual tradition established
* Competition format developed
* National recognition
* Venue changes

=== 20th Century ===

'''Major expansion:'''
* Civic Center era
* Themed shows introduced
* National exhibitors
* Television coverage

=== Convention Center Era (1996-present) ===

'''Modern show:'''
* Pennsylvania Convention Center
* Massive installations
* 250,000+ attendance
* International acclaim

== The Show ==

=== Scale ===

'''Dimensions:'''
* 10+ acres of displays
* 1,000+ exhibitors
* Hundreds of thousands of flowers
* Week-long event

=== Themes ===

'''Annual concepts:'''
* Elaborate thematic presentations
* Major installations
* Creative interpretation
* Designer competition

=== Notable Themes ===

'''Past shows:'''
* "Flower Power" (2007)
* "Passport to the World" (2009)
* "Hawaii: Islands of Aloha" (2015)
* "Holland: Flowering the World" (2017)

== Competition ==

=== Categories ===

'''Competitive classes:'''
* Major exhibits
* Landscape design
* Floral design
* Horticulture specimens
* Photography

=== Exhibitors ===

'''Participants:'''
* Professional designers
* Garden clubs
* Nurseries
* Amateur gardeners
* Students

=== Awards ===

'''Recognition:'''
* Best in Show
* President's Trophy
* Category awards
* People's Choice

== Major Exhibits ==

=== Landscape Displays ===

'''Large installations:'''
* Full-scale gardens
* Professional designers
* Themed environments
* Massive plant installations

=== Hamilton Horticourt ===

'''Competition hall:'''
* Individual specimen competition
* Thousands of entries
* Judged horticulture
* Traditional focus

=== Marketplace ===

'''Shopping:'''
* Plants for sale
* Garden accessories
* Specialty vendors
* Demonstrations

== Programming ==

=== Demonstrations ===

'''Live events:'''
* Gardening techniques
* Floral design
* Expert speakers
* Workshops

=== Lectures ===

'''Education:'''
* Celebrity gardeners
* Landscape designers
* Plant specialists
* Environmental topics

=== Special Events ===

'''Evening programs:'''
* Preview party
* Fashion shows
* Evening receptions
* Members events

== Economic Impact ==

=== Regional Benefits ===

'''Economic driver:'''
* $70+ million impact
* Hotel occupancy
* Restaurant business
* Retail sales

=== Tourism ===

'''Visitors:'''
* Regional draw
* National visitors
* International guests
* Spring tradition

== Pennsylvania Horticultural Society ==

=== Organization ===

'''Host:'''
* Founded 1827
* Oldest horticultural society in U.S.
* Community programs
* Green initiatives

=== Mission ===

'''Purpose:'''
* Gardening education
* City greening
* Environmental stewardship
* Community gardens

=== Programs ===

'''Year-round work:'''
* PHS Pop Up Gardens
* City Harvest
* Philadelphia LandCare
* Tree planting

== Attending ==

=== Tickets ===

'''Access:'''
* General admission
* Advance purchase recommended
* Member discounts
* Group rates

=== Tips ===

'''Visitor experience:'''
* Weekday visits less crowded
* Comfortable shoes essential
* Photography encouraged
* Full day experience

=== Accessibility ===

'''Accommodations:'''
* Wheelchair accessible
* Scooter rentals
* Sensory considerations
* Rest areas

== See Also ==
* [[Pennsylvania Horticultural Society]]
* [[Pennsylvania Convention Center]]
* [[Philadelphia Events]]

== References ==
<references />

{{#seo:
|title=Philadelphia Flower Show - World's Largest Horticultural Event
|description=The Philadelphia Flower Show, the world's largest and longest-running flower show since 1829. 250,000+ annual visitors, 10-acre indoor garden at the Convention Center.
|keywords=Philadelphia Flower Show, Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, flower show, horticulture, garden show, Philadelphia events
|type=Article
}}

[[Category:Culture]]
[[Category:Events]]
[[Category:Traditions]]
[[Category:Philadelphia]]