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—Lancaster Farming, Saturday. Mar. 23. 1974
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The 1974 Philadelphia Flower and Garden Show
From the gusty March winds outside the Philadelphia
Civic Center, it was a mere escalator ride down to a mar
velous springtime - three and a half acres of orchids, gar
denias, daffodils, bonsai and plant material of every
description.
It was like entering a floral version of Alice’s mystical
wonderland for the 179 women who were treated by Penn-
Jersey Harvestore to the 1974 Philadelphia Flower and
Garden Show, one of the largest of its kind in the east.
There were educational exhibits, commercial exhibits and
a wide variety of competitive classes, which literally offered
something for everyone.
A mall with bubbling fountains surrounded by thousands of
tulips greeted visitors to the show and set the stage for this
fascinating world of springtime.
Probably the exhibits which were of most interest to the
group were those which featured flowers and plant materials
which are familiar and are readily found in southeastern
Pennsylvania. However, the exotic flowers and superbly
arranged formal gardens and greenhouse exhibits drew
much comment and parise.
Each person finds Ms favorite in a flower show. Mrs. Paul
Rohrer, Lancaster RD2, said, “Since I’m a farmer’s wife, the i
most interesting thing to me was the flower bam,” The
exMbit was a commercial florist’s representation of an
outdoor flower market, using rustic ornaments to provide
imaginative arrangements for fresh flowers. Mrs. Rohrer
added, “The orcMd display was tops. The whole show was
really quite worthwhile.”
Debbie Funk, Washington Boro RDI, agreed, “I hadn’t
visited before and I really liked it. I especially liked the or
cMds.”
Of course, orchids always create excitement, and the
several orchid exhibits, showing them in their natural set
tings with waterfalls and swampy areas were probably the
favorite of many visitors.
Joan Witmer, Washington Boro RDI, said, “I enjoyed the
unusual flowers most and especially the forced daffodils and
irises. Also the giant flowers. The show went from one ex
treme to the other.”
“I liked the flower arrangements with roses, and the
displays of indoor plants,” said Audrey Rohrer, Lancaster
RD2.
There were many arrangements featuring indoor plants,
but one of particular interest to plant enthusiasts with little
space for their hobby was the exhibit of window sill collec
tions which featured entire windows filled with suitable plant
materials, and identified. One of the window sill collections
was particularly interesting - it used only vegetables and
herbs.
Another feature for apartment dwellers and those with
little outdoor space was an exhibit by the Indoor Light
Gardening Society of America featuring ways to grow and
decorate with plants under artificial light. Several settings in
the home were demonstrated, and specific information was
given regarding accurate growing conditions.
Anna Lois McMichael, Lancaster RD6, expressed the
sentiment of many when she said, “I expected to see more
blooming flowers. But the displays were laid out really well.”
Janet Hess, Lancaster RD6, concurred, saying, “I was
looking for more flowers and not so many greens.” Both
agreed it was an interesting show.
One of the educational displays which drew sustained in
terest throughout the week was that of The Pennsylvania
State University. The display featured “The Bees and the
Flowers,” and according to Associate County Extension
Agent Arnold G. Lueck, it scored two firsts. “It was the first
to feature vertical gardens, an idea which allows you to have
a garden in a small space, and it was the first time there were
observation bee hives there,” he said.
One of the reasons for the great interest in Penn State’s
booth was that it was manned with agents willing to answer
lawn and garden questions. Lueck helped man the booth
twice, and said that according to flower show officials, “The
whole flower show attendance was way up this year.” He
added, “I think it reflects more interest in green plants and is"
part of the cycle we’re presently going through. There is a lot
more interest in horticulture than ever before.” About the
show itself he said, “What always impresses me is the great
diversity of plant materials.”
One of the more interesting of the horticultural classes
judged (at least to this observer) was the rock garden
division - some large rocks holding up to 25 different plant
specimens, and some tiny rocks with a single specimen.
Each was unique, and interesting.
By Sally Bair
Feature Writer
Some Lancaster County women come through a
forest at the flower show.
Two women with the Harvestore tour enjoy the
roses entered in competition.
Nature’s Sculpture is the title of this niche
arrangement.