PHILADELPHIA, PA—The 2025 Philadelphia Flower Show, themed "Future Flowers," showcases beautiful blooms and plant seeds for a more sustainable future. Many exhibits highlight innovative gardening and landscaping approaches that emphasize environmental responsibility.
A prime example is the "Don't Call it Dirt, Don't Call it Trash" installation by OLIN and Remark Glass. This transformative garden showcases the potential of circular materials by repurposing items often discarded as garbage—glass, woody debris, and food waste—into valuable resources for the soils of the future. The exhibit underscores the importance of a renewable and biologically rich approach to sustainable landscaping.
Renowned designer Susan Cohan's "Field of Vision 25/50" also embraces sustainability. It presents a futuristic garden set in a reimagined post-industrial space. The exhibit highlights water conservation and the need for shelter and shade in future gardens using recycled urban materials, including a repurposed water tower.
The theme of interconnectedness and environmental responsibility is woven throughout many exhibits. Robertson's Flowers & Events display, featuring a tree symbolizing the world and its root system, emphasizes the impact of individual and collective actions on the planet's health. Kazuyuki Ishihara and Iftikhar Ahmed's "Tomorrow's Eden" explores the interplay between two interconnected garden spaces, highlighting nature's resilience and humanity's role in preserving the delicate balance of our planet.
Educational institutions are also contributing to the sustainability focus. Lankenau High School envisions a green classroom of tomorrow, while Mercer County Community College focuses on urban green infrastructure. The Lakeside School imagines a futuristic biodome, and Temple University examines the intersection of reforestation and mental health. The University of Delaware's "Lab to Landscape" exhibit explores advancements in plant breeding and soil science, highlighting cutting-edge research critical to the future of horticulture.
The 2025 Philadelphia Flower Show demonstrates that the future of horticulture is green, showcasing innovative practices and design concepts that prioritize sustainability and environmental stewardship. It's a powerful reminder that embracing these principles can cultivate a more beautiful and resilient world for generations.
