814-Lancaster Farming, Saturday, March 20 1993 Kaleidoscope Of Philade LOU ANN GOOD Lancaster Farming Staff PHILADELPHIA (Philadclphi a Co.) Six acres of flowers flaunted a touch of spring for those who made it to the Philadelphia Flower Show before the record setting blizzard caused the week long event to close two days early. Early figures revealed that the blizzard whited out attendance by about 40,000 persons. But those who made it to the Show were entranced by the beauty of 55 ela borate landscaping displays and 1,700 individual entries. The theme “Preserving the Past, Presenting the Future,” was evi dent at the Philadelphia Civic Cen ter where displays blended the flowers of the past with environ mentally responsible gardening. Proper care of shrubs, plants and trees was emphasied to maintain the past ecology. Bartlett Tree Experts taught visitors the art of pruning. “Pruning trees is like rais ing children: providing early direc tions results in fewere problems as the plant matures. Pruning young trees eliminates weak growth to provide a strong basis for future development.” Shrubs should be thinned to control size and maintain their natural shape, but not sheared. For the more than 150,000 visi tors at the Show, education was of prime interest. Several displays Jack’s eyeview of Jack and the Beanstalk by Pennsyl nla Nurseyman’s shows an effective use of plants. Miniature hollyhocks * ♦^'■P^pppppi V-* J. The “growing swan” swims contently In a pool of water. emphasized that the secret to a healthy lawn in a safe environment lies in working with nature. A green lawn often requires over-fertilized, energy consuming practices that waste water and fill up landfills with grass clippings. Soil should be tested periodical ly to determine the right tertilizcr, compost, and services needed to keep your lawn healthy. Grass type should be a variety that is well-adapted to the area where it is planted. It will grow better and resist pests and diseases belter. Mowing high {2Vi -3/2 -inches) and -more often will produce healthier grass with fewer pest problems. Flowers, shrubs, and trees in the displays are marked so that visitors can easily identifiy plants they may want to include in their home gardening. Free lectures and demonstra tions on gardening, flower arrang ing, floral photography, and houseplant care were scheduled for each day. The crowds packed the area where more than 100 vendors sold everything from floral tape to glass-enclosed decks. Plan to attend the 1994 Philadel phia Flower Show scheduled for March 6-13. For more informa tion, contact the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, 325 Walnut St.. Philadelphia, PA 19106-2777. This arrangement shows how recycling an old milk can for a container of fresh flowers preserves the past with the present. Landscai g displays sw . as. one ere; ;d by McNaughtoi se» js Inc. of New Jersey show how flowers, shrubs, and trees enhance the beauty of the house. Iva- Water gardening shows plants suited for «"• g*'"' Mi'S - s ‘ ia Flower Show rowing In water and around water. cult to perceive that the Philadelphia Flower Show is really held Inside the Civic Center. dU
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