Just two days left until the 2008 Philadelphia Flower Show opens to the public this Sunday, bringing an early taste of spring to winter-weary gardeners everywhere.

At the display from Waterloo Landscaping Inc. of Exton, PA, Susan LeBoutillier’s landscaping skills are combined with the sculpture of artist Terry Stuart, providing this garden setting an indescribable outdoor elegance.

When asked if the Show's Jazz It Up! theme inspired her work, Susan says, “Absolutely. In fact, we listened to lots of blues and jazz music when designing our exhibit.”

Stoney Bank Nurseries of Glen Mills, PA, offers this serene woodland garden for your viewing pleasure. Titled Reflections, the display includes a 35-foot 'Edith Bogue' magnolia tree and numerous water features. A walkway made of water reflects plants along the path. A fountain spouts from inside a baby grand piano (pictured above), and tropical plants reminiscent of New Orleans are mixed with more familiar ones native to our region. Simply dazzling!

Flowering cherry trees encircle a grand fountain at the Fairmount Park Commission exhibit. As pictured above, brilliantly lit streams of water will shoot 15 feet in the air as others dance to music. Charles Dougherty says, “I’m most excited about the cut-flower arrangements in the shape of a bass and saxophone.”

The ever-clever folks at
J. Cugliotta Landscape & Nursery Inc. (located in
Southampton, NJ) call their exhibit Pete’s Fountain after the famed jazz clarinetist
Pete Fountain. Look for a
bold array of annuals, flowering shrubs and trees,
as well as jazzy sculptures made from musical instruments.

Owner Joe Cugliotta says, “We’re looking to create a party environment, and are using the Mardi Gras colors of green, purple, and gold to convey that festive mood.”

“There’s some anxiety now, but when it all comes together, it’ll unquestionably
be worth it,” says Brad Baker,
taking a brief break from the assembly of this exhibit.

This year, Jenkintown’s Baker Creative is building a park-like setting with petunias, snapdragons, and fuchsias. Large boulders and an antique piano give the display it’s smart and simple title: Jazz Rocks.