Flower Show: First impressions

The Flower Show opens today at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. It runs through March 13. Taking up 10 acres inside the Convention Center, it’s one of the largest indoor flower shows in the world. NewsWorks’ Kim Paynter took her video camera to yesterday’s preview event for VIP’s.

This year, several organizations from Northwest Philadelphia were invited to create exhibits.

Robertson’s Flowers of Chestnut Hill has a “Showcase” exhibit called Impressions of Notre Dame. The exhibit recreates a wedding set behind the cathedral using white lilies to highlight the cathedral; Pink flowers for the grand wedding ceremony; and statues of gargoyles using succulents and other plant materials.

W.B. Saul High School of Agricultural Sciences has a clever display that Philadelphians will appreciate. It’s called A Tale of Two Cities. It’s draws on the connections between the Champs-Elysees and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. A mini parkway is decorated with red maples, red oaks and sweet gum trees under-planted with springtime bulbs, annuals and perennials.

Philadelphia University students have created 16 dresses created by students that will be featured at the Show and used as inspiration for companion floral designs.

The Philadelphia International Flower Show has been a Philadelphia tradition since 1829. The Show has evolved from a gathering of professional growers showcasing their prized plants to the largest and oldest indoor flower show in the nation.