The Philly Flower Show

**h*@aol.com**

After tying to get down to the PHS flower show for so many years...so close and yet so far...I made it down on Friday for the press opening.  Thank you for all those who put so much time and effort into this...especially the PHS.  I went with one of the countries top ornamental plant pathologists so you can imagine we had some interesting conversation over our 8 hour excursion. 

Considering the theme I was surprised to see so little representation by the Brits.  Nothing from Sutton Seeds, Blackmore and Langdon and nothing from Blooms of Bressingham.  Incredible display by Clematis grower and breeder Raymond Evison though.  Also surprised at the fact that none of the major US seed companies seemed to have displays or booths but the booth by Hudson Valley Seed Library was really nice.  Nothing from the likes of Burpee and Monrovia.

Subaru was a major sponsor and had a nice display garden but it was flawed by the use of Impatiens walleriana and I know the Delaware Valley has been hit by Impatiens Downy Mildew as much as the rest of the country.  I know their garden was probably planned months if not years in advance but the word has been out on IDM for at least a year. 

The plant competitions were just amazing and the designed gardens by the regional designers, landscapers and LA's were right on spot with the English themes and plants.

But all in all a great show and wonderful to be able to go down on Friday and get my column written about it for the web edition just three days later so my readers can be tempted to take the trip down during the week.

Andrew Messinger
The Hampton Gardener
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