Burst of vibrant blooms as 2026 Philadelphia Flower Show opens to visitors
The 2026 Philadelphia Flower Show opened to visitors on Saturday at the Convention Center, drawing attendees from around the world and signaling the approach of spring. With the theme "Rooted: Origins of American Gardening, " the event combines large-scale floral displays, hands-on workshops and a marketplace of more than 200 vendors running through March 8.
Philadelphia Flower Show theme: Rooted: Origins of American Gardening
The show’s organizers centered this year’s program on the idea that gardening is shaped by family, friendship and tradition. Matt Rader, president of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, said the exhibition was designed to reflect personal stories and the lessons people inherit and exchange about plants. That focus produced a range of installations that imagine lush garden parties and tranquil settings, with designers intentionally varying styles so each display carries a different visual language.
Visitors described the effect as intense color and abundant detail. One attendee called the experience a reminder that spring is near; others noted the diversity of displays and the sheer volume of blooms on view. A special preview hosted by Karen Rogers, Cecily Tynan, Adam Joseph and Sharrie Williams is scheduled to air Saturday at 7 p. m., offering an early look at key installations and featured artists.
Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, marketplace and hands-on activities
The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society operates the show and has positioned the marketplace downstairs to concentrate shopping and demonstrations. Marketplace lead Meredith Wysowski highlighted the breadth of offerings: exotic houseplants, bulbs, apparel, jewelry, gourmet food items and outdoor furniture. With more than 200 vendors present, the marketplace aims to deliver a broad selection so attendees can find tools, decorative wares and live plants on site.
Programming includes multiple participatory options: attendees can pick up gardening tips, build terrariums, and craft flower crowns at staffed stations. Organizers say those hands-on activities are intended to translate the exhibition’s themes into practical skills and keepsakes that visitors can take home. The combination of competitive floral exhibits and educational workshops creates a layered experience for different kinds of visitors—collectors, casual gardeners and families alike.
The show runs through March 8, giving attendees a set timeframe to see the full range of exhibits and to shop the marketplace. Hosting the event at the Convention Center allows expansive staging for large installations and steady visitor flow across the multi-level footprint. That venue also enabled organizers to place the popular marketplace on a separate floor to reduce congestion around the main horticultural displays.
What makes this notable is the deliberate linking of personal narratives to horticultural design: by foregrounding roots—literal and metaphorical—the exhibition reframes individual plant choices as part of broader cultural and familial traditions. That curatorial choice drives the variety of displays on the floor and shapes the programming for visitors seeking both spectacle and practical gardening knowledge.
Attendance in the opening days included visitors from outside the region, underscoring the show’s reach. For those planning a visit, the combination of large-scale floral art, competitive showcases and a marketplace of more than 200 vendors provides multiple reasons to schedule time before the show closes on March 8.
