Early Flower Show reactions: Bold, British and mostly ‘brilliant’ [video]

    Members of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society were invited to a special preview of the Philadelphia Flower Show at the Convention Center and were treated to exhibits straight out of British culture: the Mad Hatter’s tea party, a digital Big Ben, Beatles tributes and Jack the Ripper.

    Members of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society were invited to a special preview of the Philadelphia Flower Show this afternoon at the Convention Center. Attendees got to see the show one day early and were treated to exhibits straight out of British culture: the Mad Hatter’s tea party, a digital Big Ben, Beatles tributes and Jack the Ripper. Also on display were the horticultural creations of those hoping to win prize ribbons.

    The Link family from Philadelphia’s Roxborough neighborhood has been attending since their daughter Jessica, 8, was an infant.

    “The royal garden gate,” said Dennis Link, “you come in and, I mean, right away you’re drawn into the show.”

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    Mom Nancy Link said that she was surprised by the amount of space at this year’s show and that she’s happy there’s more room to enjoy the exhibits. Christine Link, 6, enjoyed the submarines most of all and had the whole family singing “Yellow Submarine” by the Beatles.

    Dennis Monroe of Telford, Pa., found himself wandering around the main show looking for his wife, an avid gardener. Monroe felt underwhelmed by the show. “I was here eight years ago, and it’s just not quite as spectacular as it was then,” he said.

    Still, Monroe admitted that he’d been enjoying himself.

    Not far away, Nan Zhant poked her head into an olfactory exhibit, a giant bowl of flowers with cutouts to allow for sniffing. “This is amazing,” said Zhant, who is from Beijing, and working toward a doctoral degree at Penn. “In China, people do not have their own gardens. But in America so many people have their own gardens inside their house. They can get inspiration from the Flower Show about how to decorate.”

    The Philadelphia Flower Show opens to the public Saturday and runs from March 2 to March 10. For more information visit www.theflowershow.com.

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