For behind-the-scenes information on major exhibitors at Show, visit our Flower Show blog.

Each year, some 60 professional landscapers, florists, and horticultural and educational organizations create full-scale gardens and floral displays that delight visitors to the Philadelphia International Flower Show. These skilled designers compete for many awards, including the coveted “Best in Show” in their respective categories.

Many of these exhibitors have spent decades perfecting their craft, which often includes forcing a great variety of plants into bloom in time for the Show. Exhibitors spend an average of 18 months preparing their displays. With only one week to show off their talents, each company or organization must pull out all stops to be considered the very best.

Exhibitors are invited to enter the Show based on their all-around ability to conceive and create breathtaking displays for the nation’s premier Flower Show. If you are interested in becoming a Major Exhibitor, please email us.

2012 Major Exhibitors

FEATURED PRESENTATIONS FOR “HAWAII: ISLANDS OF ALOHA”

Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
100 N. 20TH Street, 5th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Contact: Show Designer Sam Lemheney, 215-988-1621
Waldor Orchids, waldor@waldor.com

Hawaii: Islands of Aloha
The tranquil winds of paradise will waft through Philadelphia and guide visitors to the Pennsylvania Convention Center for this year’s presentation, “Hawaii: Islands of Aloha.”

Guests will be welcomed to the Hawaiian Islands through dynamic projections of crashing waves and one of the largest displays of white orchids and anthuriums ever assembled.
Waldor Orchids will bring decades of floral expertise to the creation of the central feature which will showcase over 2,000 orchids -- from dendrobiums to vandas and all genera in between. Walter Off of Waldor Orchids has traveled to Hawaii for several weeks to personally oversee the selection and timing of all of the flowering plants that will be acclimated for the Show.

Once visitors pass through the orchid wave, a variety of native and tropical plants will rise in a living wall. Towering palms, bamboo, and a tropical plant canopy will immerse visitors in the Hawaiian rainforest. A 25-foot-high waterfall will splash down into Pele’s Garden, an island of exotic flowers and plants where performers will conjure volcanic flames and the Fire Goddess.

SHOWCASE EXHIBITORS

American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD)
720 Light Street, Baltimore, MD 21230
Contact: Ron Mulray, 215-632-6270, ronmulray@aol.com
The Beautiful Dance: Song, Chant & Hula
The AIFD display is inspired by hula and the various topics of the Hawaiian dance.  Hula is a way of telling a story through physical movement, and designers will interpret these stories through floral design. Legends of goddesses, the elements, and King Kalakaua are a few of the subjects that inspired the exhibit.

Burke Brothers Landscape Contractors, Inc.
7630 Cheltenham Avenue, Wyndmoor, PA, 19038
Contact: Kevin P. Burke, 215-887-1773, mrich@burkebrothers.com
Executive Surfer’s Retreat
When a surfer enters the “green room,” it’s the ultimate experience of being enveloped in the barrel of a wave. In Hawaii, surfing is a way of life, and the green room lures surfers to the ocean all year-round. Here we see a different kind of green room – an enclave of tranquility where Oahu surfers can be one with nature, in or out of the water. More than a weekend surf shack, this upscale surfer’s retreat is a place to relax, leave the suit and tie behind, and get some R&R before hitting the waves. Dense tropical foliage, a tranquil lagoon, and a palm tree-lined beach surround dark wooden walkways leading to paradise. Splashes of native plants, more colorful than fiberglass surfboards, pop out of the sand and beckon to the waves. Angled roof lines, an outdoor shower, and an inviting bed make this secret spot the perfect place to wait for daybreak -- and the first break of the day.

Michael Petrie’s Handmade Gardens
P.O. Box 7, Swarthmore, PA 19081
Contact: Michael Petrie, kpwriting@comcast.net
Keahiakawelo - Garden of the Gods
This exhibit is a fantasy rock garden inspired by the wind-carved stone formations and lunar-like landscape of the Garden of the Gods, an unexpected, high-desert area on the island of Lanai. Legend says ancient Hawaiian gods created the garden by dropping boulders from the sky.

Robertson’s Flowers
1301 E. Mermaid Lane, Wyndmoor, PA 19038
Contact: Lisa Roth, 215-836-3050, lroth@robertsonsflowers.com
Kaua’i Knot
Welcome to a magical beach wedding on Kaua’i surrounded by endless beauty and magnificent scenery. Where the ocean meets the sand, a special couple creates the perfect day. The only thing that compares with the island’s natural wonder is the beauty of its people, with their genuine friendliness and spirit of aloha.

Stoney Bank Nurseries
61 Stoney Bank Road, Glen Mills, 19342
Contact: Joseph Blandy, RLA, ASLA, 610-459-5100, joeblandy@stoneybanknurseries.com
Mau-nificent Mystical Maui
Traditional taro crops thrive in flooded fields next to the aging waterworks of bygone companies; freshly picked fruit await the arrival of hungry travelers stopping at the roadside fruit stand along the road to Hana. The road disappears into the distance between rugged mountains and crosses into an older landscape full of mystery.  Secrets of the serene forest may be revealed around each bend and at the end of every rainbow in this tribute to Hawaii’s ranches and cowboy culture.

MAJOR EXHIBITOR PRESENTATIONS

America In Bloom
2130 Stella Court Columbus, OH 43215
Contact: Laura Kunkle, aib@ofa.org
Planting Pride: Growing Great Communities
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.

American Ivy Society
P.O. Box 461 Lionville, PA 19353
Contact: Russell A. Windle, 610-970-9175, Hedera@att.net
Surf’s Up
A white sandy beach and a surfing penguin -- what could be more inviting? This recreation of the animated movie has something for everyone, young and old. A tropical paradise, with ivies of every description, shows the diversity of this plant. 

American Orchid Society
16700 AOS Lane, Delray Beach, FL 33446-4351
Exhibit Designer: Michael W. Bowell, mwb@createascene.com
Sharing in the Spirit of Aloha
A tropical retreat awaits visitors where they can see, touch and smell the beauty of orchids up close. American Orchid Society members share their plants, knowledge and expertise to all who wish to learn about these exotic beauties. AOS members from around the country are involved in the staging and staffing of this interactive exhibit. Features include artistic compositions of potted and mounted specimens of exotic species, old and modern hybrids, along with a supporting cast of rare and exotic tropical plants. Miniature orchids in terrariums enchant with their delicate forms, brilliant colors and architectural detail. Demonstrations will further the AOS goals of supporting orchid culture, education and conservation.

American Rhododendron Society, Greater Philadelphia Chapter
831 Foxwood Circle, Lafayette Hill, PA 19444
Contact: Linda Hartnett, lindahartnett@gmail.com
Rhododendrons in Paradise
This display is a section of a secluded Philadelphia garden and private patio filled with colorful rhododendrons and companion plants, some with tropical heritage. Vireyas, which are rhododendrons, were introduced to the islands of Hawaii from warm regions of Asia. They are epiphytes that can be used in local gardens as long as they are wintered over in indoor conditions or greenhouses; similar to orchids in their needs.

Camden Children’s Garden
3 Riverside Drive, Camden NJ 08103
Contact: Michael Devlin, 1-856-365-TREE
A Child’s Tropical Adventure
A hidden spot in a city lot provides a place where a child’s imagination, sparked by nature, can be set free. This exhibit echoes the aim of the exhibitor, Camden Children’s Garden, which invites families to “come out and play” by offering a variety of horticultural experiences for kids to discover and explore the natural world and their own creativity.

Celebrations Design Group
950 Ridge Rd., D8, Claymont, DE 19703
Contact: Tom Covello, info@CelebrationsDesignGroup.com
Pop Petals
Enjoy floral compositions that showcase a creative interpretation of a fusion between iconic pop musical artists and their songs.

Delaware Valley College, Department of Natural Resources and Biosystems Management
700 E. Butler Ave., Doylestown, PA 18901
Contact: Michael Fleischacker, Michael.Fleischacker@delval.edu
World Beneath Our Feet
Journey to a peaceful mountain stream, and burrow underground to a world teeming with life forms seldom seen. Learn about the dark, dank, interconnected systems of plants, animals, and the soils that support them. Reflect upon the necessity of these systems to sustain life.

Delaware Valley Fern and Wildflower Society
121 Garden Road, Oreland PA, 19075
Contact: Tom Tomer, tdtomer@juno.com
Frond Memories
Rather than vacation in Hawaii, the Fern Society visits an estate in the Northeast whose owner is passionate about all things Hawaii, and to prove it, they have collected a wealth of memorabilia and tropical plants, especially ferns. When you enter the sunroom, you’d think you were on the Big Island.

EP Henry
201 Park Ave, Woodbury, NJ, 08096
Contact: Marianne Anzaldo, 800-444-3679, manzaldo@ephenry.com
Exhibit Designer: Ledden Palimeno, www.leddenpalimeno.com
Ohana Ho`olaule`a (Family Celebration)
Enveloped by soaring Alexander palms, striking blue Bismarkia palms, and lush philodendron, the Henrys prepare to gather for a family celebration. On vacation in their tropical Hawaiian retreat, every moment together with family, friends, or even by oneself, is a celebration of the beauty and serenity of nature. The cabana serves as the hub with its stainless steel built-in grill and bar made from a surfboard. Environmentally friendly Eco Pavers provide the perfect patio for lounging, and the plunge pool is the perfect spot to cool off on a hot day with the falling water from the living wall providing subtle background sound. Orange and red bird-of-paradise, red, yellow and orange bromeliad, and colorful crotons create an outdoor paradise where one can reflect by the wading pool, enjoy dining al fresco or rinse off the ocean salt in the secluded outdoor shower. From our family to yours, “Hele mei hoohiwahiwa” – Come celebrate.

F2 Environmental Design
385 South End Ave. #4A, New York, NY 10280
Contact: Andrea Filippone, info@f2environmentaldesign.com
Science of Organic Land Care for the 21st Century
There is an underground revolution spreading in how we maintain our landscapes. It is occurring in the soil and it involves bacteria, fungi, microbes, and roots, which are now encouraged by compost and liquid biological amendments, rather than vast amounts of high nitrogen fertilizers and pesticides. F2 Environmental Design’s landscape design and management techniques focus on encouraging the natural nutrient cycling systems and growth patterns of the plant environment.

Flowers by David
2048 E. Old Lincoln Hwy., Langhorne, PA 19047
Contact: Robin or David Heller, 215-750-3400, flowers.david@verizon.net
KāKua (Tattoo)
A dramatic water feature dominates a design inspired by the patterns of Hawaiian tribal tattoos.

Hawaii Tropical Flower Council (HTFC), Hawaii Floriculture & Nursery Association (HFNA), Hawaii Florists & Shipper’s Association (HFSA), Hawaii Export Nursery Association (HENA), Orchid Growers of Hawaii (OGOH)
1989-B Komohana Street, Hilo, HI 96720
Contact: Neill Sams 808-651-4237 or Mike Inouye 808-966-7427
Hawaii’s Flowers, Tropical Plants, & Orchids
Stroll along an old lava stream bed in a tropical forest, bracketed on both sides by lava rock walls angling down a steep valley to the streambed. The pathway is interrupted by two fallen trees - hollowed out with running water - and culminating in two log waterfalls sprinkling into a freshwater pool. The log waterfalls are stripped of bark, laden with mosses, bromeliads and stunning orchids clinging into niches, creating an opportunistic existence for themselves on the logs. Above, the rock wall hillside is lush with large tropical plants and palms. The valley scene is startling in its colors, hues and rich diversity, and compels you to stop, contemplate and “breathe” in the entirety of the vision before continuing on your journey.

Horticulture Academy at Abraham Lincoln High School
3201 Ryan Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19136
Contact: Karen Kardon Weber, 215-335-3213, kkardonweber@philasd.org
On The Right Track  . . . Going Vertical
Take a walk through a subway station and observe plants growing as a living wall. Learn how living walls are incorporated into public spaces not only for decorative purposes but also to improve the health and well-being of society and the environment. Join the adventure as the display transports you into the future of urban environments and experience the pleasure and utility of living vertical spaces.

Hunter Hayes Landscape Design
102 Holland Avenue, Ardmore, PA 19003
Contact: Lauren Hilburn, 610-896-0309, Lauren@hayeshorticulture.com
A Personal Paradise
A home garden setting -- for these homeowners, a personal paradise awaits at the end of every long day. From the driveway they are welcomed by a hillside garden topped with a living courtyard wall. Up the steps and through an archway entrance they look down into the sunken tropical courtyard garden, complete with flowering tropical plants, tall palm trees, a relaxing patio space, and serene water features.

Ikebana International
Philadelphia Chapter 71
550 Main St., Sewell NJ 08080
Contact: Lorraine Toji, 856-757-9719, ltoji550@comcast.net
Ikebana
The Ikebana International exhibition of Japanese flower arranging features the Ohara School of Ikebana and illustrates the similarities and subtle differences between the six schools of Ikebana represented in the Philadelphia Chapter.

Irwin Landscaping
P.O. Box 186, Hockessin, DE 19707
Contact: Pete Irwin, 302-239-9229, irwinland@msn.com
Old Silo Garden
This beautiful patio is created around the remains of an old silo. A waterfall emptying into a small pool surrounded by plants bursting into spring makes for a charming sitting area.

J. Downend Landscaping
411 Smiley St., Crum Lynne, PA 19022
Contact: Tom Morris, 610-833-1500 ext. 12, tmorris@downendlandscaping.com
Remembrance
Framed by majestic palms in a tropical paradise, a white structure hovers above the pristine waters of Pearl Harbor, beckoning the intrigued visitor to these hallowed grounds. Royal palms stand proud over sacred waters, while frangipani emit a sweet scent into the breeze and peace lilies dance in the wind like the sails of visiting tall ships. The vibrant colors of Hawaiian ti, highlighted by surrounding plants, remind us that in a place of immeasurable tragedy, beauty can exist in the remembrance of the heroes we have come to honor.

Jacques Amand, The Bulb Specialists
3690 S. Star Canyon Drive, Gilbert, AZ 85297
Contact: Elaine Wiggers, 480-656-6151, info@jacquesamand.com
Cheering Color From Bulbs
Adding a touch of diversity to the show, the exhibit is reminiscent of the British Isles. On display will be superbly colorful varieties of spring and summer flowering bulbs, rarely seen together in one garden. The exhibit also incorporates works contributed by the distinguished sculptor Lisa Fedon of Penn Argyl, Pa.

Kepich and Associates
P.O. Box 152, Holicong, PA 18928
Contact: Chris Kepich, 215-794-5090
Kepich and Associates offers a complete range of landscape services, providing high quality creative design and fine craftsmanship. Their expertise helps you select the most suitable plants, shrubs and trees for your property and environment so that the integrity of the design lasts for years to come.

Mark Cook Landscape Contracting LLC
P.O. Box 1112, Doylestown, PA 18901
Contact: Mark Cook, 215-345-9164, mclcdesign@gmail.com
Tail End of a Breeze
Approaching this exhibit feels like stepping from the water, onto the sand, into an intimate setting. Surrounded by many plant varieties, you can retreat down a boardwalk to a hidden pergola buried in the tropical forest. The white canvas roof and relaxed setting are like a resort made for complete solitude. Three overflowing urns invite guests into the Hawaiian deep. Plants tower above and trellises lead through this gorgeous retreat.

Men’s Garden Club of Philadelphia
353 Aubrey Road, Wynnewood, PA 19096
Contact: Stanley M. P. Amey, 610-658-2004, stan@stanamey.com
Kona Coffee Festival Winner! Mo’Olio Coffee Company
On the Big Island, in the shelter of Mauna Loa in Kona, lies Mo’Olio Farm, the home of a small coffee company. For generations they have grown coffee here, roasting the beans to make a rich, strong, award-winning brew. The family uses Mo’Olio, the seahorse, a symbol of strength, as their emblem to ensure continued prosperity. They are celebrating their victory at the Annual Kona Coffee Festival with a traditional Hawaiian Luau in their lush tropical garden.

Michael Bruce Florist
823 Haddon Ave., Collingswood, NJ 08108
Contact: Michael Bruce, 856-854-6322, mbfint@yahoo.com
Pu’ili
Nodes of bamboo split lengthwise into many strips fashion an instrumental accompaniment to dance the hula “Pu’ili.” Feel the rhythm of the overhead display of bamboo and woven floral artistry. A hypnotic sound, bound with reeds, mosses, and flowers undulates to capture the essence of movement woven into the Hawaiian culture.

MODA Botanica
4520 Worth Street, Philadelphia, PA 19124
Contact: Armas Koehler, 215-906-0275, info@modabotanica.com
Lauana (Flower Pattern)
Visitors are invited into a three-dimensional world, inspired by classic and modern Hawaiian-print fabrics, where they can interact with the tropical leaves and flowers to produce a myriad of different patterns in a living representation of Aloha Attire.

Netherlands American Business Association (NABA)
P.O Box 515, Willow Grove, PA 19090
Contact: Thomas A. Snyder, 215-280-2969, tasnyder@comcast.net
Holland: Land of Art and Flowers
This exhibit showcases and promotes interest in the horticultural products of the Netherlands and inspires travel to Holland in the springtime to see the Keukenhoff Gardens and the flower fields in bloom, as well as the museums of Holland, featuring the Dutch Masters, Rembrandt, Van Gogh, and Monet.

North American Rock Garden Society, Delaware Valley Chapter
85 Grouse Road, Barto, PA 19504
Contact: Tammy Harkness, plant_nerd@msn.com
Gardening in Tufa Rock and Troughs
A display of the jewel-like plants grown in the tufa rocks are arranged as they might be on the rocky outcroppings of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. The rare and especially porous rocks can be difficult to find and are relatively expensive. Creative gardeners have figured out an easier and less expensive substitute for this planting medium in hypertufa.  This man-made, light-weight concrete alternative forms beautiful troughs to plant the alpine and rock garden plants. Accompanying the naturalistic tufa plantings are examples of hypertufa troughs, planted with different rocks and mulch, demonstrating that exotic materials are not necessary to create beautiful miniature rock gardens.

Pennsylvania Bonsai Society
Box 801, Spring House, PA 19477 
Contact: Randall Naftal, 484-432-5847, rnaftal@gmail.com
Pennsylvania Bonsai Society
The Bonsai Society exposes and teaches the art of bonsai to its members and all who visit this exhibit. The display reflects the years of work involved in training and mastering the art of bonsai by the members of the society.

Petals Lane
7380 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19128
Contact: Brittany Gillespie, 215-482-2176, weddingsandevents@petalslane.com
Pineapple Pa’ina
The celebration of two people stepping forward to create one path together often is preceded by a night where two families and closest friends gather to feast and celebrate. The Pineapple Pa’ina display, with its bright, lush textural elements, is a depiction of the night before the wedding day in beautiful Hawaii.

Philadelphia Cactus & Succulent Society
2 South Bryn Mawr Ave, Suite 200, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
Contact: Paul G. Wesolowski, 267-614-2989, pwesolowski@bmtc.com
Aloe Ha!
Are there more cactus species native to Hawaii or to the Delaware Valley?  The surprising answer can be found in this exhibit, which will also show a winter-hardy cactus and succulent planter that can be left outside year-round. And no, you don't need a volcano to heat it. There are no native cacti in Hawaii, but dozens of species have become naturalized there in the past 200 years.

Philadelphia Parks & Recreation
One Parkway, 1515 Arch St., 10th Floor, Philadelphia., PA 19102
Contact: Charles Dougherty, 215-683-0223, charles.a.dougherty@phila.gov
A Wedding in the Park
This display evokes the sense of beauty surrounding each wedding and event hosted at the Fairmount Park Horticulture Center. In collaboration with Stephen STARR Events, a Horticulture Center wedding is an elegant affair located in this beautiful city oasis.

Philadelphia Society of Botanical Illustrators
306 Green Circle, Exton, PA 19341
Contact: Joan Frain, www.psbi-art.org
The Flora of Hawaii: Indigenous, Endemic, or Invasive
An exhibit of beautiful, scientifically accurate and original watercolors depicts the colorful and varied plants and flowers found on the islands of Hawaii. Professional artists demonstrate the art of botanical illustration each day on location at the exhibit.

Philadelphia Water Department
1101 Market St., 3rd floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Contact: Arthur M. Holst, 215-685-6143, Arthur.holst@phila.gov
Green City, Clean Waters
In the not-too-distant future, Philadelphia landmarks become islands of green in the urban sea. Rainwater that formerly ran off the streets in destructive waves is now absorbed, feeding lush native plant jungles that were once pavement and mown grass. The restored tree canopy cools these vibrant hotspots, and provides air purifying oxygen to a renewed city. Honoring the past, while looking to the future, the City of Brotherly Love works with nature to preserve and protect precious historic, economic, and natural resources.

Romano’s Landscaping
P.O. Box 80, Pitman, NJ 08071
Contact: Peter Romano, 609-471-1067
Tropical Chill
After a long day of carving your reputation into tunnel walls and trying to out-muscle the ocean, it’s here you come to rest, reflect, and reset. Here is where the hard work ends and where thousands of sunsets begin. Sand beneath your feet, a cold one in your hand, and no place you need to be. The forecast for tomorrow predicts another day of high waves and higher temperature; but for now the mood is set for a Tropical Chill.
 
Rosade Bonsai Studio
6912 Ely Rd., New Hope, PA 18938
Contact: Chase and Solita Rosade, 215-862-5925, chase@rosadebonsai.com
Bonsai - Islands in the Sun
Get the answers to all your bonsai questions at this educational display of plants. View the bonsai displays to see how the plants are styled and grown to give the feeling of a tree in a container. Students and staff offer demonstrations of the art and horticultural pursuit.

Schaffer Designs
1021 N. Hancock Street, Unit 3, Philadelphia, PA 19123
Contact: Bill Schaffer, AIFD, AAF, PFCI, bill@schafferdesigns.com
PELE
Pele is the Hawaiian goddess of fire and volcanoes, and every volcanic eruption in Hawaii is said to be Pele’s way of expressing her longing to be with her true lover. As rivers of lava flow, basalt rock formations emerge and guide the flow to its final destination. Escaping from the rock sanctuaries are fissures from deep within the earth, spouting their deadly volcanic eruptions. The exhibit transports guests to the middle of a lava flow, a river of magma that flows with 2,000 red anthurium, yellow cymbidiums and oncidium. Floral fissures are highlighted as they explode out of the all-black, textural landscape.

Subaru of America
P.O. Box 6000, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034
Contact: Abana Jacobs, 856-488-8500, ajacobs@subaru.com
Exhibit Designer: Ledden Palimeno, www.leddenpalimeno.com
The Surf Shack
As you drive down the winding path in your Outback, you’ll pass through lush tropical plantings on your way to the Surf Shack. Rent a board, ride the waves, and soak in the surroundings on this little island of paradise.

Temple University, Ambler
School of Environmental Design
580 Meetinghouse Rd., Ambler, PA 19002
Contact: Rob Kuper, 267-468-8179, rkuper@temple.edu
Aloha ‘Āina: A Return to Life with the Land
Amid a misty peak, ferns cling. Water seeps along cliffs and pools in a moist, shady woodland garden thick with pawpaws, magnolias, and white fringetrees. A stream passes beneath a metal catwalk supported by log rounds and emerges among cattail, corkscrew rush, and pitcher plants. Beneath the sweeping limbs and skin of a shade structure, taro and other sensitive exotics find shelter, some growing atop stone towers. Cold frames lean into the southern sun and protect culinary herbs. There are glimpses of the outside, through the stuccoed screen walls, past the living wall, and beyond the arms of sassafras and rhododendron. But why leave? Food, water, shelter, and beauty are all here.

Tourism Ireland
Exhibit Designer: Burke Brothers Landscape Contractors, Inc, mrich@burkebrothers.com
Classic Ireland with a Twist
Ireland’s rich horticultural heritage is highlighted in a classic yet modern setting that features iconic symbols of its people. The rolling hills and lush landscapes of Ireland form the framework for a cottage garden and pond display at the center of the feature. Surrounded in cobblestone, the exhibit boasts a variety of plants including assorted boxwoods, ferns, Irish moss, Hinoki cypress, and Okame cherry trees, presenting a pop of color with a cloud of gorgeous pink blossoms.

U.S. EPA Region III
1650 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Contact: Todd Lutte, 215-814-2099, lute.todd@epa.gov
Paradise Lost
Set up camp along a native woodland paradise and listen to the tranquil sounds of a cascading brook as it emerges to form wetlands. The water it carries provides the basic building block of life. This precious resource receives most of its protection from the native flora both in and around this system. Visitors will be inspired by splashes of colors and textures of pitcher plants, blueberries, larch and a host of other species as they adorn a bog, while dogwood, rhododendron, azalea and other native woodland species form a buffer for the aquatic system. The exhibit will educate visitors on the importance of forest ecosystems and integrated pest management, and motivate them to appreciate, preserve and restore these lost treasures.

W.B. Saul High School of Agricultural Sciences
7100 Henry Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19128
Contact: Barbara Brown, 215-487-4467, 14barbarabrown@gmail.com
“Ka Māla”: The Canoe Garden
Today’s Hawaiian paradise began with the arrival of canoes laden with plants that were brought from Polynesian islands. These palms, hibiscus, and elephant ears, along with edible yams and sweet potatoes, quickly became part of the Hawaiian built landscape as they rooted and thrived in the island soil, lava, and stone.

Williamson Free School of Mechanical Trades
106 S. New Middletown Road, Media, PA 19063
Contact: Chuck Feld, 610-556-1776 ext.242, cfeld@williamson.edu
American Roots: A Williamsburg Colonial Kitchen Garden
In 18th-century Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia, gardening was appreciated, practical, and practiced in many ways which serve as an important chapter in American gardening history. The Colonial gardens were largely devoted to growing vegetables, herbs, and fruits, following the design principles then used in England. This recreated Williamsburg Colonial kitchen garden has four hotbeds, heirloom vegetables, espalier fruit trees, and an herb garden. The exhibit is surrounded by a replica of an 18th-century fence with paths made from crushed shells and brickbats. Visitors learn what vegetables, fruits and herbs were grown, how the plants were propagated, what tools were used, and how hotbeds were used to lengthen the growing season.