Page 17 – Laurel Hoffmann

The Philadelphia Flower Show’s theme in 2018 was Wonders of Water.

Held in the Convention Center in Philadelphia, it is the largest indoor flower show in the world.
In spite of a blizzard the previous day, which caused electrical outage of thousands of businesses and homes in the region, and local train stoppage, the flower show opened, Saturday, March 3, as usual, to record crowds. My friend and I drove, taking detours to avoid fallen trees, so as not to miss the preview Saturday morning that was open to members of the Horticultural Society. When we left at noon the first floor of the Civic Center was packed with people waiting to enter.

Today, Wednesday, March 7, 2018, we are in the midst of a snowstorm. People who have bought tickets for today have been told the tickets will be good any of the remaining days of the show. My guess is that most have gone, thinking the crowds may be less.

As one entered the scene was of rain forest and its scents and sounds.

Here are pictures:

Beautiful displays present new ideas. Here a glass table is set with glass wear, in a pond with floating gardenias.

A sign presenting an example of problems caused by climate change.

Tulips and other spring flowers in full bloom.

Many arrangements are also presented. I found this one quite unusual.

This is Maryam, who sells beautiful hand-made tapestries, shawls, and bags from India, China, and Morocco. www.uniteinthelight.org – www.kashmirdream.com

Smaller exhibits were also on display.

The shopping is also fabulous. One finds items at the Flower Show that one can find nowhere else. And one meets people, often people with very interesting stories to tell.

I bought garden door mats from www.gardendoormat.net marveled over the beauty of hand-crafted jewelry made by Colleen Toland – www.colleentoland.com – and her daughter, Lisa Toland -www.lisatoland.com – both of whom are from California.

I bought a broom that sweeps decks, a hot-pink t-shirt that says We Can Do It! with Rosie the Riveter on the sleeve, and for my daughter, roses from the Krempt Florist. Roses are incredibly inexpensive at the show. Unfortunately I do not have the web addresses for these exhibitors.