Philadelphia Flower Show Celebrates 250 Years of American Gardening

The 2026 event explores the origins and legacies of gardening in the United States.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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The 2026 Philadelphia Flower Show, themed "Rooted: Origins of American Gardening," offers a chance to reflect on the gardening traditions inherited from people and plants around the world. The show features a range of exhibits, from a recreation of a Lenni Lenape site by high school students to displays honoring the historic role of African Americans in American agriculture. Floral designers also create works that evoke the resilience and community found in nature.

Why it matters

The Philadelphia Flower Show's exploration of the "Origins of American Gardening" provides an opportunity to highlight diverse perspectives and underrepresented narratives in the history of horticulture in the United States. By showcasing exhibits that honor Indigenous, African American, and other marginalized communities' contributions, the show aims to present a more inclusive and accurate portrayal of the roots of American gardening.

The details

The show features a range of exhibits, including a recreation of a Lenni Lenape site by students from W.B. Saul High School of Agricultural Sciences, which highlights the indigenous people who inhabited the land before colonization. Other exhibits, such as Kindred Spirit by Susan Cohan Gardens and Phoenix Rising by Laurel-Brook Gardens, explore ecological planting and the healing power of nature. Floral designer TissaRose's work, Ikechi, honors the historic role of African Americans in American agriculture, while Simple Nia Designs' Nature's Embrace celebrates the resilience and community found in gardens.

  • The Philadelphia Flower Show runs from February 28 to March 8, 2026.
  • This year's show marks the 250th anniversary of American independence.

The players

Pennsylvania Horticultural Society

The organization that presents the annual Philadelphia Flower Show.

W.B. Saul High School of Agricultural Sciences

A Philadelphia public high school that created an exhibit honoring the Lenni Lenape people.

Sean Sherman

An award-winning chef, author, and activist known as "The Sioux Chef" who has promoted Indigenous food systems.

TissaRose

A floral designer who created the exhibit "Ikechi" to honor the historic role of African Americans in American agriculture.

Simple Nia Designs

A design firm that created the exhibit "Nature's Embrace" to celebrate the resilience and community found in gardens.

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What they’re saying

“This year's theme is a nod to the 250th anniversary of American independence, offering 'a chance to reflect on the gardening legacies we've inherited and the ones we're growing for the future, shaped by people and plants from around the world.'”

— Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (broadstreetreview.com)

“The depth of study and learning that the students must have undertaken in order to bring this landscape to life is inspiring, especially during this dark time when there are attempts in public education to hide our nation's origins.”

— Gabrielle Kaplan-Mayer, Flower Show attendee (broadstreetreview.com)

What’s next

The Philadelphia Flower Show will continue to explore the origins and legacies of American gardening through its programming and exhibits in the coming years, as the city and nation commemorate the 250th anniversary of independence.

The takeaway

The Philadelphia Flower Show's exploration of the "Origins of American Gardening" highlights the diverse perspectives and underrepresented narratives that have shaped the history of horticulture in the United States. By showcasing exhibits that honor Indigenous, African American, and other marginalized communities' contributions, the show aims to present a more inclusive and accurate portrayal of the roots of American gardening.