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Philadelphia Flower Show Exhibit 
"Jazz It Up!"
March 2 to March 9, 2008 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center
"You missed it".
The yearly botanical wonderland that is the Philadelphia Flower Show is now over for this year. This year celebrated New Orleans and Jazz and included live Jazz bands and displayed scenes reminiscent of Bourbon Street.
"Urban Scenes, Natural Rhythms".
The EPA exhibit demonstrated techniques for having a beautiful garden that doesn't require mowing, is water efficient, and reduces the need for fertilizers and pesticides. Visitors enjoyed an environmentally sensitive urban garden, showcasing a wide array of plants that depict
the landscape value and diversity of our native species and incorporated recycled materials, and resource conservation techniques. The 2008 Philadelphia Flower Show ran through March 9 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
EPA's entry this year:
Urban Scenes, Natural Rhythms - "is an urban garden inspired by the rhythms found in nature and jazz. An ensemble made of natural materials and features a horn section with containerized pitcher plants exploding in harmony with native ferns and no-mow sod. The use of native azaleas creates a melody for the eyes as the viewer is soothed by the blush of colors and structure of these stalwart landscape elements. The rhythm section is represented by conifers of various sizes, colors and textures exemplifying the harmonies of the garden. A natural percussion keeps time with the rest of the garden through the use of recycled glass, re-use of antique wrought iron fencing, a composter and rain barrel, all intertwined with the melodic sounds of cascading fountains."
2008 awards
- The Philadelphia Flower Show Award - Nonacademic educational
- The Philadelphia Horticultural Society - Award of Merit- Nonacademic educational
After the Show
The "heady" days of the 2008 Philadelphia Flower Show are now just a beautiful memory of the sights and smells of springtime. What happens to the stars of the show after the curtain comes down and lights are turned off?
EPA donates most of the large woody plants used in the show to Camden City Gardens
or Walter B. Saul High School of Agricultural Sciences. Special care is needed to nurture these plants by holding them in a kind of suspended animation until the weather outside can catch up to where they are developmentally. Most of the plants have been forced to wake up and flower sometimes months ahead of when they would in the wild. It is important not to shock the plants by putting them out too early. Many of the smaller perennial ferns, sedges, iris and ground covers are taken back to the EPA greenhouse where employees transplant and divide them for use in the show next year.
Press Releases:
- Learn “Green” Backyard Gardening Techniques from EPA’s Exhibit at the 2008 Philadelphia Flower Show (03/03/08)
The Philadelphia Flower Show - 2008 |
|
 French Quarter style building |
 "Jazz It Up" theme |
 Live New Orleans Jazz Band |
 EPA's 2008 Flower Show awards |
 EPA exhibit - Urban Scenes, Natural Rhythms |
 Another view |
 Garden Statuary and this year's awards
|
 No Mow Lawn |
 Benefits of composting |
 Benefits of No Mow Lawn |
 Examples of plantings |
 More planting examples |