New Attractions in 2015 Include PHS Pop Up Garden
Expanded butterfly exhibit and wardrobe collection also to be featured
PHILADELPHIA – This year, the popular PHS Pop Up Garden and other
features will transform the Grand Hall of the Pennsylvania Convention Center into the
“Backlot,” a movie-themed gathering space that complements the 2015 PHS
Philadelphia Flower Show, “Celebrate the Movies.”
A palm tree-lined red carpet will lead guests to the Pop Up Garden, offering light
fare, the new PHS Hard Cider, and beer, while movies play on a large screen.
The Fine Wine & Good Spirits Store will return to the Grand Hall with free
tastings and a shop to purchase new discoveries. Among the special guests at the 2015
Flower Show will be film and television star Dan Aykroyd, who will sign bottles of his
additive-free Crystal Head Vodka on March 6. Ethan Wayne, son of John Wayne, will
sign bottles of Duke Bourbon on February 28 and present a display of memorabilia of
the Academy Award-winning actor.
Beautiful and educational experience
Back by popular demand and double in size, “The Butterfly Experience,” an
interactive and educational exhibit created by California’s SkyRiver Butterflies, will bring
more than 1,000 butterflies to Room 202 in the Grand Concourse. The expanded
“Butterfly Experience” will feature 30 domestic and exotic species, including the Cairns
Birdwing, one of the most beautiful butterflies in the world. Birdwings are native to India,
Southeast Asia and Australia and are among the largest butterflies in the world with
wingspans up to six inches.
The life cycle of the butterfly, as well as the importance of protecting their fragile
habitat, will be illustrated as part of “The Butterfly Experience.”
“Like miners used canaries to determine the safety of a mine, the butterfly is our
canary for determining the safety of our environment,” says John Dailey of SkyRiver
Butterflies.
Film wardrobe collection
One of the finest privately held collections of Golden Age film wardrobes in the
world, Gene London’s Hollywood Collection, will make its debut at the Flower Show in
2015. Following the success of his beloved children’s television show, Cartoon Corners,
Gene moved to New York City and became involved in the fashion industry. As a
hobby, he collected more than 60,000 gowns, dresses and fashion accessories. His
collection features a dress worn by Philadelphia-bred actress Grace Kelly (Princess
Grace of Monaco) in the Oscar-winning film, The Country Girl (1954). Guests will have
the opportunity to meet Gene and see more than 50 costumes from his collection.
Admission will be $5.
The Walk of Fame, located on the main show floor, will depict pivotal moments in
the history of the horticultural world through photos and graphics.
The Make & Take Room will again offer guests the chance to design, assemble
and take home their own creations from the Flower Show. Two different DIY projects
will be offered. For $10, participants can create a wearable fascinator; for $20, visitors
can choose from a selection of unique plants, accessories, and containers to build their
own terrarium.
ABOUT THE FLOWER SHOW
The PHS Philadelphia Flower Show is the nation's largest and longest-running
flower show, which blooms every March at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. The
show features the world’s premier landscape designers and florists, who turn 10 acres
of the Convention Center into a fantasy of beautiful plants and cutting-edge designs.
In addition to the major garden displays, the Flower Show hosts world-renowned
competitions in horticulture and artistic floral arranging, gardening presentations and
demonstrations, special events, a mammoth indoor Marketplace, and a Flower Show
Week celebration throughout the Philadelphia region.
The Premier Sponsor of the 2015 Flower Show is Subaru, and the Exclusive
Sponsor is Bank of America. Official Sponsors include Acme, Bartlett Tree Experts,
Crestor, EP Henry, Green Mountain Energy and Tourism Ireland.
Proceeds from the Flower Show benefit the year-round programs of PHS, which
is celebrating its 187th year of gardening, greening and learning. PHS initiatives include
the PHS City Harvest program, which creates green jobs and supports a network of
community gardens that raise fresh produce for more than 1,200 families in need each
week during the growing season; and Plant One Million, a tri-state, 13-county campaign
whose goal is to plant one million trees in the region by 2020.
For more information, please visit theflowershow.com and follow us on Facebook
and Twitter.
ABOUT PHS
The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society is a nonprofit organization, founded in
1827, dedicated to creating beauty and building community through gardening, greening
and learning. With more than 25,000 member-households throughout the world, PHS
offers programs and events for gardeners of all levels, and works with volunteers,
organizations, agencies and businesses to create and maintain vibrant green spaces.
Proceeds from the PHS Philadelphia Flower Show and donations from foundations,
corporations, government and individuals support PHS programs, including Plant One
Million and PHS City Harvest. For information, visit PHSonline.org.
MEDIA CONTACTS: Alan Jaffe, PHS, 215-988-8833, (m) 267-968-0859, [email protected]
Marion McParland, PHS Communications Specialist, 215.988.8815, mobile 609.238.9599,
[email protected]