188th PHS Flower Show an outstanding Dutch treat

The Pennsylvania Convention Center has once again been transformed into the lush gardens of another foreign country. Members of the Philadelphia Horticultural Society worked long and hard to prepare for the organization’s 188th rite of spring, known in these environs as “The” Flower Show.” This year it’s a trip to Holland and the Netherlands for the more than 260,000 people anticipated to embark on a splendid adventure through fields of tulips, daffodils and fragrant hyacinths that are the center pieces for the exhibition.

Bridges with basketed bicycles and bowers of hanging flowers greeted this year’s opening night attendants which included not only the state’s governor, Tom Wolf, but also U.S. Senator Bob Casey for the ribbon cutting ceremonies.

Hundreds of guests roamed among the gardens, supped, sipped and sniffed the more than 30,000 flowers tucked into exquisite gardens along with another 6,000 that had been draped from overhead rods or stuffed into overflowing window boxes.

While Opening Night brings out the area’s luminaries to light the initial way, it is the many opportunities for special events such as Fido Friday on St. Patrick’s Day, Flowers After Hours (a dance party), the Teddy Bear Tea for kids on the 19th of the month and the chance to see the Dutch Ecodome, an invention designed to maximize growing conditions without taxing the local environment.

Need to shake off winter’s fallow time as spring arrives? Come down to the Convention Center for AARP’s Block Party during this weekend. Event sponsors have done all they can to not only fit into the theme, but also create unique opportunities to learn. Those who sneeze when out in nature might want to visit the Flonase Sensimist kiosk. Going to be there during lunch hours? Take advantage of a Garden Tea which has two seating times.

The take-away from all is that nature needs to be nurtured, regardless of the country or locale it resides in. Recognized around the world for both its longevity and results, PHS is the “go to” place for learning about both.

For hours of operation, special events and classes visit the website at www. theflowershow.com.

Joan Prewitt of Wayne and her husband, David, run into their longtime friend, Bonnie Squires of Wynnewood.

Karen Kardon Weber, of Bryn Mawr, heads up the Horticulture Academy at Lincoln High School, and this year’s theme was the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam.

BONNIE SQUIRES PHOTO Paul and Christine Tufano, of Devon, members of the Preview Party Committee, loved seeing the exhibits before the public opening.

6ABC News’s meteorologist Cecily Tynan forecasts a sensational week of events and happenings at the 188th Philadelphia Flower Show.

Avid gardeners from Bryn Mawr, Jean Yost and Paula Bedi, head to the merchandise and sales section of the convention center.

Patti Pressman of Wayne and Subaru representative Jonathan Rivard of Haddonfield make a quick stop before heeding to a sit-down dinner.

Radnor residents Ron and Karen Stark along with Andy and Sharon Cichocki of Valley Forge and the DeLussys of Bryn Mawr, Joss and Ed, get a birds-eye view of a Dutch landscape.

BONNIE SQUIRES PHOTO Richard Worley and his wife Leslie Anne Miller, of Bryn Mawr, enjoy the Preview Party for the 2017 Philadelphia Flower Show. Ms. Miller chairs the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) Flower Show.

Bernadette and Paul Curtis, formerly of Haverford, explore a covered patio with brick fireplace and log storage.

Carole and Turk Thacher of Devon raise a toast to PHS, the show’s entrants, suppliers, purveyors and opening night’s guests for the fabulous flower show.

BONNIE SQUIRES PHOTO Rep. Jim Roebuck greeted Terese Casey, Honorary CoChair of the Flower Show, and her husband, Senator Bob Casey Jr.

BONNIE SQUIRES PHOTO Margaret Sandler, president of PHS; Frances Wolf, honorary co-chair of the Flower Show; Rep. Jim Roebuck; Governor Tom Wolf; and Sam Lemheney, PHS Chief of Show & Events, wait for the ribbon-cutting to open the show.

John Donaldson of Malvern stops to speak with Grete Greenacre of Malvern and Ann Calvert of Bryn Mawr.

Accenture representative Brad Michel of Phoenixville and wife Kara get started on the tour of exhibits with Janice Chan and Greg Miller.

Avid gardeners from Bryn Mawr, Jean Yost and Paula Bedi, head to the merchandise and sales section of the convention center.