It is that time of the year when all of my peers know…I will mentally return in the Fall. Why – because the Philadelphia Flower Show is my annual kick-off to all things gardening. Not that my dreams of beautiful gardens ever stop, not that I ever stop seeking all things beautiful and I definitely do not stop reading about gardens, gardening and garden travel – NO WAY!!! It just seems like no matter the winter weather, no matter what else is going on in this world, when I return from the Philadelphia flower Show, all is right with my world.This year, it is even more special. This year there is a party happening in Philadelphia at the Philadelphia Flower Show – the oldest Horticultural event in America. It is the Centennial Celebration of Our National Park Service. This year’s theme is “Explore America”. As a self-proclaimed Garden Explorer, I can only imagine that my appetite for experiencing all that our National Park Service has to offer will be increased by the information and displays I am hoping to see. The Philadelphia Flower Show has been THE Spring event in the United States since 1829…now that is a long time!!! With a different theme every year, this show tickle’s the hearts and mind of avid gardeners and horticulturists worldwide. Among the many extravagant displays that inspire, there are always new plants and techniques to share as well as the flower design competition (one of my favorite attractions). Each designer has to use whatever flowers, twigs, stems are provided to make a fantabulous arrangement. I view this as the Olympics of the Philadelphia Flower Show, as I am always gritting my teeth or clenching the seat to see what the Designers can come up with. YES – it is that exciting!!!
There is so much to do and this year I am looking forward to going to Butterflies Live. Imagine entering a room with over 1,000 butterflies that I can feed and admire their beauty. For a mere $3.00 (separate ticket), it will be the perfect place to pause. This room has been engineered to imitate the perfect environment for our little friends. I can’t wait!!! 
There is also a Make and Take Room. I remember making this little chapeau about two years ago. I had such a great time picking through the offerings of ribbons, silk flowers, and assorted trims to make it truly mine!!! This year I am not sure if I will do another hat or a terrarium!!!
There are always seminars offered that cover a broad range of topics. I would love to plan on catching the Easy Succulent Bouquet demonstration with Evelyn Alemanni, author of Succulent Bouquet. Succulents are all the rage now that xeriscaping is necessary due to climactic surprises, known as climate change. I would also like to attend the session on Communities and Parks: Connecting for Prosperity with Donna Bedwell -I am quite curious on her thoughts. There is more, but I will have to gauge my time as there will be much to see and I have got to remember to keep an eye on my heart rate. Every display is an expression of one person’s vision of all things beautiful and between being courteous to fellow horticultural aficionados, Senior Citizens, and tourists, it is best to keep it moving at the displays and double back if it is something I really want to see.
Speaking of which…The Philadelphia Flower Show website comes with a list of Survival Tips, check here. That is correct, if you really want to enjoy this show there are a few guidelines to remember like wear layers, wear comfortable shoes, take plenty of photos and take notes. I like to say record good notes with a pen/pencil and paper. There is nothing worse than getting bumped while trying to type in notes on your electronic device, only to not be able to figure out what you typed when you get home – yes this has happened to me!!! All those letters can sometimes make no sense at all when trying to match it up with the blurred photo. It can be a madhouse…albeit a colorful one!! Then there is the shopping…..I just can’t tell you enough about the shopping!!! In fact, I won’t. I will tell you that the Marketplace has simply gorgeous items from seeds, jewelry, books, plants to the newest and latest equipment…..all quite worth the asking show price. There are deals to be had!!!!!
With free wine tastings, a beer garden, and other food offerings to choose from, it is a full day or two of horticultural immersion. I understand there is a Bison Burger that is quite tasty…I have a date with the Italian Restaurant in the Reading Market – it is my MUST HAVE every year. The Philadelphia Flower Show is the ultimate Spring fix…it ought to be a required event prior to digging EVERY Spring. I will be certain to share follow-up information as well as photos. If you have never been to The Philadelphia Flower Show, you simply don’t know what you are missing! For more information on the 2016 Philadelphia Flower Show, check here.
Thank you Philadelphia Horticultural Society for helping the National Park Service celebrate this Centennial Celebration of their service. Thank You National Park Service for being there to maintain our parks and curate programming of interest, so that all might enjoy!!! To find out more about the National Park Service, you can find them here National Park Service pr to find out more about the Pick Your Park program, check out Find Your Park. You just might be surprised at what you find out about the beauty that surrounds us!!!
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One of the first things to think about is seed selection. What flowers do you desire for your cutting garden? How tall do you want the cut flowers to grow? What colors? Large blooms or abundant small blooms? Defining your taste in which flowers you really like and want to grow can be a process of weeding out just how many flowers your garden can accommodate. In my world, one can never have enough cut flowers. From Cosmos to Zinnia’s and everything in between, makes selecting how many of which plant you want, quite the task. Once you have made your selections, one must consider the soil, as well as the site.
Some of the most common cut flowers need full sun and well-draining soil. So that sunny hardpan clay area in the corner, under the trees, just might not work without amending the soil. Your choice of soil amendments could include a slow release fertilizer, an organic fertilizer, leaf grow as a soil conditioner, mushroom compost, coconut hulls (makes a wonderful smelling soil amendment) or an assortment of aged manure – from rabbits to guano (bat droppings). Obtaining a soil test over the winter months can aid in making sure you add just enough of exactly what is needed for optimal seed/plant growth. Check with a reputable local hardware store or your Extension Office for advice on where and how to obtain a thorough soil test.
Once you have taken these steps, it is simply a matter of starting or direct sowing your seeds, adding some other plant material for textural interest, additional options for cutting – such as assorted ornamental grasses, Dahlia’s, Oriental, Asiatic or even the newer blended cultivar Lilly’s. You could even add shrubs that have berries or variegated foliage, which can be utilized in arrangements. A little water when needed, perhaps a little additional fertilizer and a good pair of snips or pruners to make an arrangement that will surely brighten the home.
A few pointers to remember, know how much fertilizer your cutting garden choices need. Know the size of your planting bed or lot, as well as the hours of sun or shade it will get. If the soil is amended correctly and any slow release fertilizer is incorporated into the cutting garden bed, over fertilization, can be kept at a minimum. Watch for mildew in high humid areas and most importantly, please consider growing some native plant material that attracts pollinators. Cut often for repeat bloom on some plants and lower renewed growth and budding in others for much later bloom. Incorporating plants that feed or provide cover for nature’s pollinators are always a great way of saying “Thank You” for the beauty that surrounds us to Mother Nature. Finally, don’t forget to search second-hand shops, catalogs or even be creative in re-purposing everyday containers. There is nothing prettier than a smattering of zinnia’s in a soup can or a soda bottle. 
Remembering the three S’s (seeds, site, soil) will enable you to say to your friends and neighbors, “a cut flower garden…You can Grow That!!!”
(All of these garden photos were taken in the gardens outside of Le Invalides, Paris, France. The tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte, as well as other war heroes, can be found here. 
We can find hydrangea’s and azaleas available to be utilized as gifts at this time of the year. Special days like Easter and Mother’s Day, are perfect opportunities to try something different and new. What about using these days to re-gift Mother Nature??? What about giving a gift that keeps on giving back???
I realize that this would not be something that most would appreciate. I remembered last year at the Philadelphia Flower Show, I happened upon these wonderfully innovative planters called 
I used all three sizes I purchased last year by planting herbs, celery, bok choy and chard. I cannot wait to reuse them this year, of course with fresh soil and continuing my practice of rotating different plants in the containers. Easy to tote, around to the best sun exposure or tote away from extremely windy conditions. I fell in love with the 
These cuties are 100% mixed fiber felt, quite inexpensive and they have a seasonal cuteness about them. I lined them with a recycled but clean plastic bag with a few punctured holes at the base. I selected a few seeds that I know butterfly’s love and that are easy to transplant – basil, parsley and dill.
