The 197th Philadelphia Flower Show

The Philadelphia Flower Show (PFS) salutes the country’s 250 anniversary this year with a show titled Rooted: Origins of American Gardening.

The personal stories, creativity, and horticultural traditions that shape how we garden today are explored in the show.

Displays—from major exhibit to miniature window scenes—span 10 acres in the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

Celebrating its 197th anniversary, the show will run from February 28 to March 8.

The show explores the roots of gardens. Their seeds, both literally and figuratively, are passed down through generations, carried across lands and oceans to recreate gardens in new lands by future  generations.

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Living With American Hollies

When my husband and I first saw our current home, I fell in love with the property as much or more than the house.

The sloping yard, characteristic of the Piedmont Region, included scores of magnificent blue spruces (Picea pungens) native to the central and southern Rocky Mountains.

What I didn’t appreciate was the half-dozen native American hollies (Ilex opaca) scattered around the yard.

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American Holly: A Profile in Beauty

The American holly, Ilex opaca, stands out as one of the most versatile and elegant trees in any winter garden.

When most trees have lost their leaves, it offers a beautiful mix of green and vibrant red berries. It also serves as a screen and reduces the lash of winter winds.

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Native Plants