America In Bloom wins award at Philadelphia Flower Show

PHILADELPHIA -- On Saturday, March 2, America in Bloom was awarded "Best Achievement for using Horticulture to Create a Sense of Place" by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society for its 15x20 exhibit at the Philadelphia Flower Show, the nation's oldest and largest indoor flower show.

"We're so pleased that our display garden in this prestigious show has been so well received, not just by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, but by the tens of thousands of people who have visited it. Opening day was a big success, with many visitors already familiar with America in Bloom and others learning about us for the first time," said Delilah Onofrey, America in Bloom board member and co-founder.

America in Bloom’s display garden, designed by Jim Sutton and Laura Culver of Longwood Gardens, echoed the show theme of "Brilliant" honoring England's exuberant gardens. The garden was anchored by large planters featuring 'Bloom-a-thon' Pink Double Azaleas, primroses, and tall ivy topiaries on loan from Longwood Gardens. They were surrounded by flowering annuals and perennials in shades of blue - Ageratum 'Blue Horizon', Salvia 'Victoria Blue', Primrose 'Belarina Cobalt Blue' and Lobelia 'Riviera Midnight Blue'. They were offset by the stunning chartreuse foliage of Deutzia 'Chardonnay Pearls' with its delicate white buds and flowers. The center island was created as a seat wall surrounding Ageratum, Salvia, and Primroses, where weary flower show attendees could rest while learning about the benefits that participation in the America in Bloom program offers.

Onofrey commented, “Great communities don’t just happen. It takes a great deal of thought and tender loving care to create a sense of place. There’s no better way to communicate life and vitality than through beautiful plantings. Colorful annuals communicate color at eye level in hanging baskets and planters. The backdrop may be green and serene or gray concrete, but color commands attention. America in Bloom brings communities to life by demonstrating the social and economic benefits of plants.”

Another AIB board member, Evelyn Alemanni, gave a talk describing the successes of America in Bloom participating towns in bringing beauty out of personal gardens and into the entire town. She signed the “Ten Years of Best Ideas” book that she wrote and donated to AIB.

In addition, four AIB judges and board members served as flower show judges. They were Alemanni, Jim Sutton, Barbara Vincentsen, and Katy Moss Warner.

For more information about American in Bloom, visit www.americainbloom.org.