Field Trip - Philadelphia Flower Show 2011

For the third year in a row, I had the honor of judging at the most prestigious flower show in the states, in Philadelphia. As an added bonus, for the second year I judged the "Best of the Day." Ten judges on a select panel choose one overall winner from the recommendations of ten judging panels. It was great fun, so I wanted to share some highlights.


Wisteria, standard care of Mrs. Samuel Hamilton:
This was the "Best of the Day" for Friday; skillfully grown and timed to flower at just the right moment (I didn't vote for it, I fell in love with the Lewisia).



Clivia “Sir John Thouron":
Also belonging to Mrs. H; stunning, 12 spikes, pale lemon yellow, to die for, most passersby were drooling.

Bulbophyllum phalaenopsis - hideously grotesque, and attracting all the local carrion flies. Don't you just love it? (It's an orchid from Java by the way, an island in Southeast Asia.)

Lewisia hybrid - the darling of the show and it did muster 3 votes for "Best of Day." I was smitten! This plant that would fit in your hand was loaded with bloom and perfectly fresh. Someone did their homework.

Viva la France - a 1/4 scale version of the Eiffel Tower surrounded by carousel animals (see accompanying giant butterfly). By the time I got near this display the place looked like a subway platform so I had to rely on a dear friend who was wise enough to take some early shots.



Well, that summarizes my 3rd year judging the most prestigious flower show in the states and the largest indoor show in the world. Oh, we do have our "cross to bear."

Meanwhile, back at Mohonk we have a flower show of our own: