On Saturday, March 3, America in Bloom was awarded "Best Achievement for Depicting Horticulture as a Way to Create Community" by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society for its 15-by 20-foot exhibit at the Philadelphia International Flower Show.
"We're so pleased that our first exhibit of a garden display in this prestigious show has been so well received, not just by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, but by the thousands of people who have already visited it. Opening day was a big success, with some visitors being familiar with America in Bloom and others learning about us for the first time," said Delilah Onofrey, an America in Bloom (AIB) board member and co-founder.
Each visitor to the AIB exhibit will receive a complimentary copy of AIB’s new educational brochure, “Discover the Surprising Side of Plants” which highlights the benefits that plants bring to our lives in many ways.
America in Bloom (AIB)'s display garden is #60 in Concourse B and is designed for easy accessibility, creating a walkable experience that allows guests to see plants close up. Held from March 4 – 11 in Philadelphia, the Philadelphia International Flower Show is the oldest and most prestigious in the country and the largest indoor flower show in the world. This year’s theme is Hawaii: Islands of Aloha.
AIB partnered with Costa Farms, Knox Nursery, Peace Tree Farm, the National Foliage Foundation (NFF) and Foliage Design Systems to supply plants to support the tropical theme. Supporting NFF growers include Kraft Gardens, NGM Productions, Wekiwa Gardens and Bruce Jensen Nurseries/Florida. Eckert’s Greenhouse provided supporting poles and baskets to create a park-like scene. The display also spotlights plants bred by Suntory Flowers, including Sun Parasol mandevillas and Senetti pericallis, which are still very new to consumers.AIB’s exhibit was designed by Troy Taylor of Taylor Environments in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., who has previously won the People’s Choice award for his work at the show. Visitors were drawn to the central mound of fiery bromeliads and took pictures of family and friends in front of it.
Onofrey commented, “Even in an island paradise like Hawaii, great communities don’t just happen. It takes a great deal of thought and tender loving care to create a sense of place. There’s no better way to communicate life and vitality than through beautiful plantings. That’s why more landscape architects are creating the “wow” factor by placing bold tropical foliage in urban settings, even in northern climates. Colorful annuals communicate color at eye level in hanging baskets and planters. The backdrop may be green and serene or gray concrete, but color commands attention. America in Bloom brings communities to life by demonstrating the social and economic benefits of plants.”
In addition, another AIB board member, Evelyn Alemanni, spoke at the show on Saturday, March 10 at 1 p.m. Her topic was “Planting Pride: Growing Great Communities”. She will also had a successful signing of the “Ten Years of Best Ideas” book that she wrote and donated to AIB.