The Philadelphia Region Is A Garden Lover's Paradise

World Travel Market 2009

In 1682, William Penn, Philadelphia’s founder, envisioned the city as a “greene countrie towne.” Known as the “cradle of horticulture,” the Philadelphia region has more spectacular public gardens and arboreta than anywhere else in North America. The nation’s oldest botanical garden, antique rose gardens, colonial kitchen gardens and romantic Victorian expanses are just a few of the pleasures this gardeners’ paradise offers travellers.



In addition to a wealth of gardens, Philadelphia welcomes Spring every year with the legendary Philadelphia International Flower Show (early March), the world’s largest and most prestigious indoor flower show in the world. Throughout the week, the entire city blooms with magnificent floral displays in hotels, restaurants and shops that feature special events, packages and discounts.

Philadelphia is also host to the “World’s Largest Garden Party” during the month of June, when the area’s gardens, arboretums and historic houses offer special programs, entertainment, performances, children’s activities and more to showcase the magnificent colours of Spring. The month-long event, which was rated the No. 1 event in North America by the American Bus Association is sponsored by the Gardens Collaborative, a collection of 26 of the area’s public gardens.

The Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival of Greater Philadelphia, or Sakura Matsuri as it is known in Japanese, is an initiative to encourage an understanding of the cultural, social, and educational customs of Japan and the United States. The festival takes place in early April and seeks to beautify the Philadelphia landscape by annually planting and maintaining 100 cherry trees in Fairmount Park.



Philadelphia



Fairmount Park - The largest landscaped city park in the US offers 9,200 acres of restful and recreational fun, from tennis, bocci courts and golf courses to 35 miles of paved multi-use trails. Scenic pathways wind along the picturesque banks of the Wissahickon and Schuylkill rivers. Groups can discover the Japanese House and Garden, a Horticultural Center, America’s first zoo, or tour the park’s many historic mansions. In the spring, the landscaped grounds behind the Philadelphia Museum of Art feature a beautiful azalea garden, and cherry blossom trees bloom along the banks of the Schuylkill River.


Historic Bartram’s Garden – The oldest botanical garden in the U.S.A., this national historic landmark has been preserved virtually unchanged for two centuries. Overlooking the Schuylkill River, it features botanist John Bartram’s 18th-century house, native plants, gardens, historic trees, river trail and wetlands. The garden features the Franklinia alatamaha, a tree saved from extinction by the Bartram family and named after close friend Benjamin Franklin.



Morris Arboretum and Gardens of the University of Pennsylvania – Located in Chestnut Hill, the arboretum is a legacy of the Victorian era. Rose gardens, a swan pond, rustic log cabin, an Italian grotto and America’s only surviving Victorian glass-enclosed fernery are among the garden’s features. Dawn redwoods and many ancient and unusual trees are planted throughout the 92-acre estate, which is Pennsylvania’s official arboretum.


Wyck – This national historic landmark was home to nine generations of the same Quaker family from 1690 -1973 and features their family furnishings. Its 2 acres include a nationally known ornamental garden with over 30 varieties of roses, which grow in their 19th-century original plan.



Greater Philadelphia Region



Longwood Gardens – The 1,050-acre former summer estate of industrialist Pierre duPont is one of the world’s premier horticultural displays. Longwood Gardens has over 11,000 varieties of plants and more fountains than any other garden in the United States. It features four acres of indoor conservatories, fountain and light displays and a whimsical children’s garden. The 4,000 square foot indoor Children’s Garden features spectacular water features, kid-friendly plants and an imaginative group of garden residents that will delight guests young and old.



Valley Forge National Historical Park – This 3,600-acre scenic park mixes history with rolling hillsides. It was here that George Washington and his troops weathered the Winter of 1777-78 during the Revolutionary War. The park features tours of Washington’s headquarters, replicas of soldiers’ huts and Revolutionary war cannons. Visitors can also picnic, bicycle, walk, jog, hike and horseback ride in the beautifully landscaped park.

The Barnes Foundation Arboretum – A 12-acre arboretum on the grounds of the world-famous Barnes Foundation reflects the colour palette of the collection of French Impressionist paintings inside.


Chanticleer Garden – Highlights of this 31-acre pleasure garden are lush courtyards of tropical and perennial plants, a colourful cut-flower and vegetable garden, exotic woodlands, and a spectacular ruin garden.



Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library – This former duPont country home features 1,000 acres of native and exotic plants, pond, woods and meadowlands. Visitors can also view the museum’s collection of American decorative arts.



Nemours Mansion & Garden - After a 39,000,000 dollar three year restoration, Nemours Mansion & Garden will reopen this spring. The mansion features the largest formal French garden in North America and encompasses 222 acres of lush landscape.






The Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau (PCVB), www.PhiladelphiaUSA.travel, a private non-profit membership corporation, is the official Tourism Promotion Agency for the City of Philadelphia, and the primary sales and marketing agency for the Pennsylvania Convention Center. The PCVB competes with its counterparts worldwide for convention and tourism business. The organization has departments dedicated to the multicultural, sports, and life sciences markets.