Philadelphia Flower Show: Magical Landscapes, Dreamy Flowers

Right around the time that I can’t stand snow anymore, the Philadelphia Flower Show calls me to bask in her spectacular flower displays.   I was surrounded by lush landscape, new plants, and wonderful  vendors with the promise that spring is just around the corner. I could feel and touch grass, smell the aroma of plants, and wonder why I live in New Jersey, which is blanketed with snow.  So, if you are as tired as I am of winter,enjoy my wonderful floral tour of the show.

Picturesque Landscapes at the Philadelphia Flower Show:

Doesn’t this look like Spring has arrived?

Beautiful staircase–fit for a princess.

Who wouldn’t want a Cinderella type wedding?

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Unique Flowers that I loved:

The Philadelphia Flower show always surprises me with different flowers or plants that I have never seen.  Here are some of the ones I adore:

But I must caution you.  As much as I was captivated by the flowers, their beauty needs to be balanced by their care.

Of course I would be remiss if I didn’t tell you about the flower in the picture at the top of this article.  It is a delphinium elatum.  Isn’t it  magnificent?

It is a perennial flower in zones 3 through 7 and can grow from 3 to 5 feet with a spread up to 3 feet.  According to Cornell University, this plant can be difficult to maintain.  It requires staking, protection from the wind, and high fertility.  In addition, it is prone to pests and diseases.

I think she is worth planting.

In the United States, Annie’s Annuals and Perennials carries the seed.  If you live outside of the United States, check New Zealand’s Dowdeswell’s Delphiniums Ltd.’s world-wide retail partners.

In case, you don’t want to stake your delphiniums, Annie’s Heirlooms Seeds carried a  3 foot delphinium variety.

Doesn’t this look like Swiss chard? Nope.  It is Red Veined Dock.  According to Fine Gardening, it grows up from one to three feet tall in clumps of one foot, and is prone to damage from slugs, snails, and rust. (It grows as a perennial and needs full sun in zones 5 to 8.)

What a spectacular low growing plant for the front of your beds.

Note, there is  a similar plant called Red Vein Sorrel which is edible.  ( You can buy at Johnny’s Selected Seeds.)

This flower is a False Queen Anne Lace.  Often times, they are referred to as Bishop flowers.

As beautiful as this flower is, it is toxic to dogs, cats, and horses.  In addition, its sap can be irritating to your skin. However, it is a great plant to attract beneficial bugs to the garden.

Garden HQ states that it is a “half hardy annual, and half hardy biennial Ammi .”   It should not be confused with Queen Anne Lace which is a different plant.

It grows to 12 to 36 inches in height in zones 3 through 10 in full sunlight to partial shade.

Isn’t this flower so delicate and graceful?

Want to grow this plant?  Get seeds HERE. (This company wasn’t listed as part of the Safe Seed Resource list. Ask them if they sell only non-GMO seeds before purchasing from them.)  Alternatively, Johnny’s Selected Seeds has these seeds and are part of the above resource list.

Some of my favorite potted plants at the show are as follows:

1.  The top left picture is a “Crispy Wave” Fern.  It grows best in low light and is touted as an air purifier plant.

2.  The top right picture is a Clivia Miniata, which is a member of the Lilly family.  It can be grown outside in zones 9 thorough 11 in dappled sunlight or in the house.  This plant grows from 1 to 1 1/2 feet with a spread of 2 to 3 feet.  (You can buy one HERE.  Be sure to read how to care for this plant.)

3.  The bottom right plant is a Pachypodium Rogulatum v. Gracilius.  It is a succulent dwarf shrub from Madagascar.  According to Dave’s Garden, this plant grows in zones 10b through 11.

Rita Taylor notes in her article about this plant,

“Of interest, too, is that the wild-collected plants have smooth exteriors, but the cultivated plants tend to be covered in spines, as is mine.The mature plant is irregularly lobed with short, tapered branches that divide near the tips to form a coral-like crown.”

If you want to grow the plant inside, it needs a few hours of direct sunlight and minimum temperature of 55 degrees.

Interested in growing this plant?  You can buy seeds HERE.  Alternatively, you can buy the plants HERE. (I didn’t see it in their online store but it was offered on their webpage.)

4.  The bottom one is an Asparagus Densiflora.  I am in love with this evergreen plant.  It grows in zones 9 through 11  in part shade with a height of 2 to 3 feet and width of 3 to 4 feet.  It is  a serious show stopper.

It can be grown inside and doesn’t require humidity.  In addition, you can bring it outside to decorate your patio in the summer.

Missouri Botanical Garden warns to watch for slugs, mites, mealybug and aphids. Plus, leaf spot as well as rots may occur.

Birds like to eat this plants seeds so they can be mildly invasive in a tropical area.

Want to grow it?  Outside Pride sells seeds.  White Flower Farms sells the plant.  Also, check with your local nurseries.  I recall seeing this plant a year ago.

Join the Conversation:

• Did you visit the Philadelphia Flower Show and if so, which plants did you like?
• Would you consider growing any of the above plants.

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