Joy Mackinney kisses her trophy as the horticultural sweepstakes winner of the 1970 Philadelphia Flower Show. This year's show, with the theme of "Springtime in Paris," opens this weekend.
The Philadelphia Flower Show started in 1929 and has become one of the biggest flower shows in the world. The 2011 Philadelphia International Flower Show runs from March 6 to 13 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. In the past, the show has introduced several unusual plants to the American public, including the poinsettia, the chrysanthemum, and the bird of paradise.
Photo by: Margaret Funderburg, PHS
This year's show has the theme of "Springtime in Paris" and will include a giant model of the Eiffel Tower; "Opulent Paris," a garden exhibit in Belle Epoque–style; "Romantic Paris," featuring a wedding at Notre Dame; and additional exhibits that will reference Paris's café culture, the catacombs, Tour de France, a perfumerie, and more.
Photo by: Margaret Funderburg, PHS
Proceeds from the flower show will benefit the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and will help fund the launch of Plant One Million, a campaign to encourage planting one million trees in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware, and City Harvest. There will be classes throughout the weekend, as well as daily performances of can-can dancers.
2011 Philadelphia International Flower Show
Dates: Sunday, March 6 to Sunday, March 13
Location: Pennsylvania Convention Center
12th Street & Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107-2299
For daily hours and ticket prices, visit the flower show's website.
