Last year, the COVID pandemic derailed plans for significant events and travel. However, as the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society planned for its 2021 annual floral extravaganza, they decided the show must go on. So, in its 193 years, the first outdoor Philadelphia Flower Show at the historic FDR Park.
Opening day, Saturday, June 5, the temperature soared to the 90s. Nevertheless, my daughter, Channing, and I motored to the South Philly Sports Stadium Complex area. Why? To attend the first day of the Philadelphia Flower Show, Habitat: Nature’s Masterpiece in the historic FDR Park.
After locating our reserved parking in the Wells Fargo lot, not the Lincoln Center and Citizens parking lots, we saw very long lines of people waiting to enter the Flower Show, so much for the timed entry and the morning shift leaving before the afternoon people arrived.
The entryway line kept moving at a nice pace. I was all set to enjoy the positive effects of being outdoors, but it was too sultry to stay and view the 34 major exhibits.
First of all, let’s talk about this beautiful park built in 1913 by the Olmsted Brothers, sons of the famed landscape architect who developed New York’s Central Park.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt Park, originally League Island Park, was located along the Delaware River at the southernmost point of South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Olmsted landscaping is typical when designing public spaces. Parks are laid out with a large welcoming lawn and a network of wide, curving paths leading to the site’s lakes, fields, and wooded areas.
The 348-acre park is devoted 15 acres to the annual Philadelphia Flower Show, and it has more than 75 gardens in natural settings, including native plants and pollinator gardens.
Upon entry, the first friendly faces I saw, I stopped them and asked about the “wow factor” exhibit; the couple told me the display at a pavilion overlooking a lake.
It was easy to locate the one impressive display right up front. The design by the Four Seasons Hotel’s Artistic Designer, Jeff Leatham, “Habitat.”
The celebrity floral designer turned the Olmsted Pavillion’s columns into plums of orange and magenta, which were ferns and baby’s breath. Mr. Leatham is known for his signature use of bold colors and sculptural shapes.
Chan and I did escape the sweltering heat with a visit to the on-site American Swedish Historical Museum. But it seems everyone else attending had the same idea.
I didn’t stay to examine the three different design districts:
🌿 Designs
🏡 Gardens
🪴 Plants
As a frequent Philadelphia Flower Show attendee, I prefer the show’s regular location inside the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
My last outing in 2020 was my visit to the Philly Flower Show in March; the following week, COVID quarantine restrictions instituted by the state of Pennsylvania for six months.
I plan to go back to FDR Park when temperatures cool to explore the grounds of this historic landmark location.
When you read this post, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society started assessing the 2021 event and planning for 2022. This year’s cost for adults is $45.00, and reserved parking at one of the three stadium lots is $20.
As always, thank you for reading.
