Hi GPODers!
A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of joining the rest of the Fine Gardening crew on their expedition to the 2025 Philadelphia Flower Show. In its 196th year, the flower show is a feast for plant lovers of every kind. Whether you’re there to see the spectacular floral displays or marvel in the many prized plant specimens on display, hours fly by like they are minutes in the busy showroom.
Produced by the nonprofit Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS), the show is a fundraiser to support the society’s mission to use horticulture to improve the health and well-being of the Greater Philadelphia region. Also one of the largest and oldest flower shows in the world, it attracts over 200,000 guests annually and gathers plant professionals from across the Mid-Atlantic region (and world) to exchange ideas, information, and knowledge. Fine Gardening was there to hold talks as part of the show’s “Know to Grow” educational lecture series. However, that didn’t stop me from slipping out into the showroom whenever I had free time to capture as much of the unbelievable creations and exhibits as I could.
The 2025 theme, “Gardens of Tomorrow,” invited onlookers to imagine how our gardens and plant arrangements will evolve in the near future, and the entry displays (titled Futura Florentia) immediately immersed you into this experimental world.
Garden entryways have been marked by some kind of archway for centuries, so it’s reasonable that future gardens will continue this tradition. This entry display imagined what a more futuristic interpretation of these classic structures might look like and put it on a grand scale. The mix of materials and lighting colors used throughout these beds also lent to the futuristic feel.
While the structures used were sleek and ultramodern, all of the plantings were lush, comforting, and familiar. A mix of pink and purple flowers matched the huge, bright pink water features while a mix of foliage shapes created a naturalistic effect with tons of incredible texture.
Varying plant heights also gave this border lots of dimension. Spires of classic foxgloves and the bulbous blooms of alliums contrast each other while complimenting many of the unique shapes found in the elaborate water features made up of tons of glass ornaments.
The only thing missing from these gorgeous odes to spring were the blooms on the many cherry trees that were focal points of the design. Just like in our gardens, plants don’t care when you’ve scheduled a fancy garden show and will come into their peak at their own time. Just a week or two away from full color, the trees were covered in buds and the first unfurling flowers. While not the floral display they were intending, it’s reassuring for the home gardener that not even the professionals get it right 100% of the time.
In no way lacking for blooms were the opulent arrangements that were encountered as soon as you passed through the entryway’s arching lights. Layers and layers of hot-colored flowers created bold mounds that thrilled and spilled out containers that I believe were 3D printed (very fitting for “Gardens of Tomorrow”).
Various orchids, tulips, roses, and allium are just some of the big blooms used to create these incredible combinations, which were so large that huge monstera leaves were an appropriate foliage match. I tried my best to get photos that captured as much of the incredible details in this arrangements as possible, but that is no easy task when hundreds of other people are also vying for a great view of these plants.
All of these bright colors again married well with the bright pink water features. The third of these structures traded the glass baubles found in the first two for cylinders that held gorgeous orchid flowers.
Just another angle of these incredible containers and the lovely mix of tulips and grasses that surrounded them. I don’t think any picture could completely capture the size and magnitude of these over-the-top displays, but know if you find these impressive they were that much more impressive in real life.
Keep an eye out for more posts from the 2025 Philadelphia Flower Show in the coming weeks! The show is vast and full of delicious details so I won’t be able to cover everything there was to see, but I will dive into some of my favorite displays and most unusual finds. If you had a chance to visit the show this year, let us know in the comments what your favorite part was, or consider sharing your favorite photos with the blog! Follow the directions below to submit your photos via email, or send me a DM on Instagram: @agirlherdogandtheroad.
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These shears have a distinctive finger rest that not only aids grip but allows greater freedom of movement than a conventional handle design. They have a durable powder-coat finish to resist rust and wear, and a simple clasp that locks the spring-action stainless-steel blades closed. The set includes one pair of round-nose shears measuring 5 1/2″ overall with 1″ blades for cutting stems up to 3/8″ in diameter, and one pair of 6 1/2″ needle-nose shears with 2″ fine-tip blades for precise work.
Wagner’s 52003 Classic Blend Wild Bird Food, 6-Pound Bag
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
Classic wild bird food uses the highest quality grains to attract backyard wild Birds. A high-quality mix containing Millet, milo, cracked corn and Sunflower for a wide range of wild birds to enjoy. Perfect for tube, hopper, or platform feeders. Great to feed in all seasons! Perfect for the winter, when seeds are scarce; spring and summer for hatchlings; and autumn to give energy to migrating birds. This seed will help you fill your yard with birds such as Jays, cardinals, doves, Juncos, finches, goosebeaks, any many more.
isYoung Birdlook® Smart Bird Feeder with Camera
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Upgraded Dual Granary Bird Feeder. G11 Smart Bird Feeder with Camera – The upgraded dual granary design allows for separate food dispensing, giving birds the freedom to choose while preserving the food’s original taste. With a 2L extra-large capacity, it reduces the need for frequent refills. The drainage design ensures the food stays dry and prevents spoilage from rain. Ideal as a camera bird feeder for birdwatching enthusiasts. 2K HD Camera & Close-Up Bird Watching. Experience clear bird watching with the G11 smart bird feeder. This bird feeder with camera features a 170-degree wide-angle lens and a 1296P HD camera, ensuring vibrant images and videos. With AI-powered recognition, it can identify over 16,000 bird species (subscription required, first month free) and provides extensive birding knowledge. Its unique design helps attract more birds to your backyard. App Alerts & Super Night Vision. The smart bird feeder camera detects motion within 0.5 seconds and sends instant notifications through the “VicoHome” app. With a 2.4G Wi-Fi connection, you can view real-time updates on bird activity right from your app. The video bird feeder also features night vision, ensuring vibrant images and videos even in low light conditions. Ideal for wild bird feeders, this advanced functionality enhances your bird-watching experience day and night.
