Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Unveils First Look at the 2026 PHS Philadelphia Flower Show, Rooted: Origins of American Gardening

Art of the Garden

Jan 18

A sneak peek beyond the garden wall: The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) previewed its 2026 PHS Philadelphia Flower Show, Rooted: Origins of American Gardening at this week’s press conference. Take a look and plan for this year’s must-see Flower Show.

The event was held at the Union Trust building, commemorating the historic site of the first Philadelphia Flower Show in 1829. This location honors the city’s role as the birthplace of America’s first Flower Show as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary. Now in its 197th year, the award-winning PHS Philadelphia Flower Show is a world-renowned gardening event that honors the people, places, and traditions that have shaped gardening, from cherished family memories to time-honored practices that continue to inspire today.

Philadelphia’s world-renowned Flower Show returns to the Pennsylvania Convention Center on February 28 - March 8, 2026, with stunning blooms, international exhibitors, and a celebration of America’s gardening heritage.

Over the years, PHS has consistently heard that the Flower Show is more than a place to view beautiful exhibits; it is a hub for discovery, creativity, and shared experiences. To support this multi-dimensional experience, PHS will debut a thoughtfully reimagined layout supported by a new wayfinding framework that helps guests easily navigate the Show through five core experiences: SEE, SHOP, MAKE, LEARN, and PLAY.

SEE: Bold Floral and Landscape Creations and Award-Winning Displays

The entrance to the Show is always an over-the-top, breathtaking composition.

This year’s Entrance Garden is an artful creation: The Forest Floor

This wondrous, sprawling fantasy draws on global influences that have shaped American gardening traditions over generations, taking inspiration from the calm of a Japanese Zen garden and the misty, magical ambiance of a Scottish forest. Bold, organic stonework, textural plantings, and water features are crowned by a sweeping, twisting root structure, creating a striking focal point that illustrates how American gardening has long evolved through the weaving together of diverse cultural inspirations. This immersive entryway sparks imagination and guides visitors through the garden’s intricate and surprising floral details.

The favorite PHS visual traditions will again be on display:

Competitive Classes – Long considered the beating heart of the Flower Show, these competitions celebrate the tradition of gardeners proudly presenting their most extraordinary and curious plants. Today, the Hamilton Horticourt, Design Gallery, and Artistic Gallery carry that legacy forward, inviting competitors to showcase exceptional plants, floral artistry, and botanical craftsmanship that reflect the depth, discipline, and creativity at the core of gardening.

The Hamilton Horticourt, the world’s largest plant competition, brings together thousands of amateur and expert-grown plants.

The Design Gallery presents floral arrangements crafted for themed challenges, highlighting designers’ skill, creativity, and the artistic power of flowers.

The Artistic Gallery showcases pressed plants, botanical art, photography, and handcrafted works, celebrating botanical creativity across mediums.

Curated Exhibitors – PHS selects dozens of exceptional floral and landscape designers whose creativity and expertise shape the Flower Show’s most anticipated visual experiences. Together, these designers bring Rooted: Origins of American Gardening to life through deeply personal interpretations of the theme, drawing from their own experiences, cultural heritage, and creative perspectives.

Me & Kelly, author, horticulturist, designer

The “American Landscape Showcase," a special exhibition celebrating America’s 250th anniversary, features four gardens, each crafted by a world-renowned designer to interpret the roots, traditions, and resilience of American gardening.

2026 Renderings: DelVal’s Linnaeus & Rachel Cho

2026 Renderings: Cohan & Design Under the Sky

Etta Studio, Unknown Studio, Design Under Sky, and Kelly D. Norris highlight how gardening has shaped communities over 250 years. The Showcase is made possible by the City of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Funder Collaborative for the Semiquincentennial.

Multi-Award winner Susan Cohan & her 2026 Rendering submission

Susan Cohan Gardens returns with “Kindred Spirit,” honoring the design principles of Martha Brookes Hutcheson, a pioneering landscape architect from over a century ago. The exhibit celebrates Hutcheson’s use of native plants and her approach to blending agriculture with designed gardens, bridging past and present horticultural practices.

Four acclaimed international florists will exhibit “First Bloom – Rooted in Memory,” where designers share the origin moments that sparked their passion for flowers. Gábor Nagy, Alex Segura, Chantal Post, and Conny van der Westerlaken showcase world-class artistry and innovative design, giving visitors a glimpse of the artist’s life and cutting-edge creativity. Their participation underscores the Flower Show’s reputation as a premier destination for inspiration, craftsmanship, and international, horticultural collaboration.

Local educational exhibitors are showing how the next generation of horticultural professionals is shaping the future of gardening. Designed and built by students, these exhibits combine traditional gardening practices with modern approaches to sustainability, plant science, and design. Visitors will see heirloom seeds and culturally significant plants celebrated, discover how historic gardens and planting methods continue to inspire new ideas, and experience creative floral designs that connect art and horticulture. Each exhibit demonstrates how students are learning, experimenting, and passing knowledge forward, offering a fresh perspective on the skills and creativity that will guide American gardening for years to come.

SHOP: Explore & Discover Unique Finds

This year, the Flower Show’s Marketplace moves to street-level below the main exhibit halls, creating a dedicated shopping area where visitors can easily browse and discover unique finds. Guests will explore a curated selection of vendors featuring live plants, florals, garden tools, decorative wares, jewelry, and home accents, all designed for an engaging and seamless shopping experience.

The Makers Market, featuring 39 talented regional artisans selling handmade jewelry, décor, apparel, and artwork will be located next to Artisan’s Row, the crafting hub for the Flower Show.

Bloom Bar gives visitors a chance to adorn themselves with fresh floral crowns right on the Show floor. Each crown is a wearable piece of floral artistry, perfect for capturing stunning photos or simply enjoying the beauty of flowers up close. Purchase required.

MAKE: Create and Craft with Hands-On Workshops

The Flower Show offers hands-on workshops, botanical crafts, and expert-led demonstrations.

Artisan Row is the Flower Show’s experiential hub where guests can create an elevated floral or gardening-inspired craft working side-by-side with artisans. Now expanded due to popular demand, Artisan Row will expand to an additional footprint and add three new creative experiences to the Convention Center’s concourse level. This year’s lineup will feature 7 artisans teaching guests how to create fresh floral crowns, floral candles, custom scents, fresh and dried bouquets, terrariums, hand painted vases, floral handbags, custom hats, tote bags and more. Purchase required.

Dive into the art of container gardening with Potting Parties, interactive workshops led by designer Tu Bloom, the Official Botanical Artist of the Grammy® Awards. These sessions are fun for all skill levels, giving participants hands-on experience and ending with a personalized creation to take home. New this year, select Potting Party sessions will be offered as a special floral arrangement class, introducing guests to the fundamentals of floral design using seasonal botanicals and natural elements. Purchase required.

LEARN: Expert Tips, Garden Insights & Tours

Visitors looking to deepen their gardening knowledge will find expert insight throughout the Flower Show. From engaging lectures and one-on-one advice to behind-the-scenes tours, these learning experiences offer inspiration and practical takeaways for gardeners at every level.

The Know to Grow speaker series returns this year, featuring leading horticultural experts sharing insights, traditions, and practical advice to help attendees cultivate their own gardens and deepen their connection to the natural world. This year’s Know to Grow lineup explores topics including heirloom and early American gardens, native bees and pollinator habitats, resilient ecological design, orchid cultivation, intensive vegetable gardening, and the cultural histories that have shaped American gardening traditions. All lectures are included with admission.

Plant People Place is your go-to destination for gardening advice and expert insight.

Early Morning Tours offer an exclusive way to experience the Flower Show before public hours. Led by knowledgeable guides, guests enjoy behind-the-scenes insights into exhibitors, garden design, the Hamilton Horticourt, and signature floral displays. PHS also offers Early Morning Photography Tours, giving guests the opportunity to photograph the Flower Show alongside a professional photographer before public hours.

PLAY: Special Events and Activities

The Flower Show’s special events and activities invite guests to connect with flowers in fun, unexpected, and memorable ways. From immersive attractions and family-friendly programming to signature parties and after-hours events, this lineup brings added energy, interaction, and celebration to the Flower Show’s stunning exhibits.

Butterflies Live! gives attendees the opportunity to encounter hundreds of native and exotic butterflies with spectacular color in a serene setting. This is an all-ages activity, perfect for both kids and kids at heart! Purchase required. Recommended for all ages. You walk in the netted tent and if you are in simpatico, the butterflies alight upon you!

Families are invited to hang out at the Kids Cocoon, where young visitors can dig into interactive activities.

Even though I attend the Press Preview the day before the show opens so that I can provide you with a highlight guide, I also renew my membership every year. I do this not only for the next days’ show entrance but also to support the great work of the Horticultural work. It’s a win/win and I encourage you to do the same. No regrets.

Members’ Preview Day offers PHS Members an exclusive opportunity to experience the Flower Show before it opens to the public. Members can explore the gardens at a relaxed pace, enjoy the beauty of the exhibits; Friday, February 27, noon to 4 pm.

Tickets for the 2026 PHS Philadelphia Flower Show, Rooted: Origins of American Gardening, are on sale now.

Become a PHS Member and enjoy exclusive perks like free or discounted tickets, early access on Members’ Preview Day or during weekend preview hours, lounge access, and year-round savings.

To become a member, visit PHSonline.org/support-phs/membership

You’ll enjoy:

10% discount on two or more Flower Show tickets (by member level and valid for preview and public hours) or join as an Activist or higher level for complimentary member Flower Show tickets. All member tickets are good for one-time use any day throughout the Show.

Special edition Flower Show gift

Special Members’ entrance at this year’s Show

Access to Members’ Preview Day and Members-only weekend preview hours

Access to the Flower Show Members’ Lounge to relax and rejuvenate

Hear from famed garden speakers at exclusive Members-only Know to Grow sessions

Discounts at participating Flower Show Marketplace vendors

Whether you purchase a Membership, a single or multi-day tickets, you’ll step into a spectacular celebration of gardens, creativity, and community while supporting PHS’s vital greening work.

Tickets

Tickets for the 2026 PHS Philadelphia Flower Show are on sale at tickets.phsonline.org

To stay up to date with the latest information on the 2026 Flower Show, please visit phsonline.org/the-flower-show

For questions, please email flowershowtickets@pennhort.org

I promise that you will discover horticulture adventures, learn about flower and plant design trends and best practices, while immersing yourself in the glamorous, glorious, exalted world of plants, blossoms, and flowers.

See you for my Garden Glamour preview from the Show.