“Inventory: Rain & the River” by Stacy Levy part of The Delaware River Watershed exhibit funded by the William Penn Foundation

Misty rainforest and tropical orchids

“Everyone loves flowers.”  Coming up from the subway at the Jefferson Station to the Philadelphia Convention Center, one encounters not only vendors but cordial wisdom in that warm, Philadelphia way.  Crossing the second threshold into the tropical rainforest of the 2018 Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Flower Show “Wonders of Water” with its 25-foot waterfall and abundant orchids, the exclamations of delight are universal. The exhibit explores the life-giving miracle of water from the tropics to traditional gardens to desert landscapes and ways in which we do, and can, value it.

Dramatic waterfall entrance to the tropical rainforest

For dedicated gardeners and designers, there are the competitions, state-of-the-art of classes, and demonstrations throughout the day and an array of industry vendors.  For all, there is beauty, exhibition tours, fun shopping, the Garden Tea, Make and Take Crafts, the enticing travel hub, and a wonderful atmosphere. To date, New Jersey native Martha Stewart and Smokey Robinson have made appearances, the latter confirming the long-held belief that singing to plants make them thrive. Today and tomorrow Bravo TV Chef Fabio Viviani stops by. Events have a broad appeal: tonight is the innovative Yappy Hour from 6-9 and a not-to-be-missed Family Day on Sunday with crafts and photos stops.  The show helps support the community garden mission of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, which has gardens and sociable go-to’s throughout Philadelphia, along with its nearby Meadowbrook Farm anchor, all supporting “neighborhood greening”.

Crowd-pleasing tulips

The “Butterflies Live!” exhibit in the adjacent Grand Hall Concourse is like a toasty warm, indoor camp out with friendly Monarchs flitting about in a netted area supervised with timed visits and worth the modest extra entrance fee. A fun tidbit from a staff member is that butterflies have taste buds underneath and should be attracted to the sugar-dipped Q-tips visitors have. Perhaps having had a sugar surfeit by afternoon, even more entertainingly, the Monarchs landed everywhere, on visitors’ hair, shoulders, and arms.  The sensation of their fluttering is like a flower petal in motion.

Angel on the shoulder

Outside the Convention Center is another world of delights, whether enjoying views of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts jewel box museum and city hall or shopping on Market Street and sightseeing at the Liberty Bell.  This visit also brought singing sparrows at the center door, though when a friend saw their video, he kidded, “That’s nice, but the Philadelphia Eagles are the birds to watch.”

After enjoying the spring song, or snow song, as it turned out, it was impossible to resist the pleasure of walking around the city.  Flower show goodwill emanated from the Convention Center in the form of smiling visitors chatting with each other while carrying tissue-wrapped bouquets of colorful flowers and pussy willow branches.  Philly has the city hustle and bustle, but also an endearing charm in that it feels like a big town.  Twin Yorkies charming passers-by from an open car window, the local regulars bargaining alongside browsing tourists at Reading Terminal, people smiling on the street (’tis true)….  Warm exchanges with people confirm the appeal with each visit and bring back memories of living there.  With so much to see, hoping for a day and not a dash, this time by car, on the next trip in the spring that will come, much to the delight of everyone.

Never too many tulips

Bucks County prize-winning display with landmark Stokes Mill and orchids

Prize-winning calla lilies in miniature

The arts, floral and painterly

Sponsor Subaru exhibit representing Camden, New Jersey, location of their new HQ

For your indoor spring, you can find information on the “Wonders of Water” Flower Show that runs through Sunday on PHS Gardening’s show website: theflowershow.com. PHS Gardening membership includes flower show tickets reflective of the type of membership, which may be helpful to know when purchasing tickets.  For more on PHS Gardening and Meadowbrook Farm, open April through September in Jenkintown, visit PHSGardening.org and Meadowbrookfarm.org. For upcoming Pennsylvania Convention Center events, visit paconvention.com. Happy weekend. 🌺

“Center State in Center City: The Philadelphia Flower Show” © 2018 Kathleen Helen Levey. All Rights Reserved

Splendid orchids everywhere

Charming exhibit prompted choruses of “Yellow Submarine” from passers-by

Dogwood blossoms bringing in spring