GardenCuizine: Spring is in the air! @PhilaFlowerShow #flowerpower @PHSGardening @FTDWorldCup2019

Monday, March 11, 2019

Spring is in the air! @PhilaFlowerShow #flowerpower @PHSGardening @FTDWorldCup2019

Philadelphia Flower Show
2019

Did you attend this year's Philadelphia Flower Show? Harry and I went on Friday. The show ran from March 2 - 10, 2019 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

A highlight this year for us was the new amateur photography competition! We will be sure to enter in 2020! As for the rest of the show?

In comparing 2019 with past shows, at first, we were disappointed. It seemed like there was more open space. I thought PHS could have done so much more with the theme "Flower Power". My expectation of Flower Power was different than PHS's intent.

My interpretation of the "Flower Power" theme was all about the late '60's, early '70's anti-Vietnam war movement, which was indeed captured in a few displays. We joined the crowds who gravitated to take selfies and photos in front of a huge, floral studded (sunflowers and roses etc), PEACE sign and the City of Brotherly LOVE exhibits.

Another display that fit my expectation of "Flower Power" had a glistening guitar in a purple plant arrangement on a colorful, tie-die table cloth featuring a Jimmy Hendrix album. I guess we expected more music, peace signs and tie die. And, maybe even a flower power painted VW beetle. Instead, we saw a brand new, dreamy, white Subaru.

Indeed, there was more to it; "Flower Power" was not just about the Flower Power movement. That was only a part of the big picture.

The 2019 Philadelphia Flower Show theme was also about how flowers inspire and enrich our lives in ways of healing, community, hope, transformation and peace.

Upon learning that, the very touching Sara's Smiles foundation exhibit all made more sense as to fitting in perfectly with the theme. The story of little Sara is sad. She passed away at age 5 from brain cancer. Sara's Smiles foundation helps other children battling cancer.

I also found it fascinating to learn about the presenting sponsor, Main Line Health. They include the healing power of plants at their facilities. Patients can experience a wellness garden and a sensory garden with aromatherapy. Wow! All hospitals should consider doing this.

Photo by Harry Wind

The big "missed it..." for us at the 2019 Philadelphia Flower show was that we walked right by PHS's major event feature - the FTD World Cup! How did we miss this? When we walked in to the staging area it was dimly lit with TV monitors high overhead and adjacent to the stage; unfortunately, we didn't stay long enough to learn what was happening.

Turns out, what was happening was the most major event for floral designers around the world; the FTD World's Cup! The event had not been held in the US since 1985 so it was a big deal for Philadelphia.

Floral designers traveled from 23 countries to compete. Bart Hassam of Australia won with his gorgeous arrangements. His largest display featured green blooms and heleconia. To see more, take a look at the below videos with Swedish floral designer/Master of Ceremonies, Per Benjamin and Alicia Vitarelli from channel 6.

Hervé Frézal from France used lots of asparagus in his organic design. And, the Mexican designer, Leopoldo Gómez, incorporated another favorite of mine, protea, in his design. He also used dried gourds for his flower vases rather than the more commonly used glass tubes.