Sam Lemhenny, Senior Vice President of Shows & Events at Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, discussed the upcoming Philadelphia Flower Show, March 2 through the 10th at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.  We spoke about the annual event, the largest all-inside flower show in the world, and, with 250,000 expected visitors, one of the best attended. Sam described the features of this year’s event, including the hosting of the FTD World Cup of florists, as international designers will attend to compete.  He discussed the exhibits and vendors and the events associated with it – afternoon teas, the pre-opening Gala, the Saturday night dance party, the ‘make & takes’ and Butterfly Pavilion.  We touched on the importance of the event to Philadelphia tourism, attracting guests from all 50 states and multiple foreign countries, filling hotel rooms and patronizing our restaurants, shops and transportation providers.

We wrapped with a discussion of the work of PHS and how the show funds civic beautification projects, in-school programs, tree planting and strategic planting to protect our watershed and climate, the food growing and the job services they offer for the once incarcerated.

For tickets, exhibition and workshop information, times and special events visit Theflowershow.com and for membership, programs and other information about the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, go to PHSOnline.org