The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) has released insights into the prominent gardening trends showcased at the 2024 Philadelphia Flower Show, themed “United by Flowers.”
The annual Philadelphia Flower Show, renowned globally as a platform for floral and garden designers to unveil innovative creations, has a rich history dating back to 1829 when it introduced the poinsettia to the world.
Now in its 195th year, the “United by Flowers” exhibition highlighted a diverse array of emerging trends in flowers, houseplants, landscapes, and floral event design, anticipated to shape the gardening and floral industries in the years ahead.
Seth Pearsoll, Vice President of PHS and Creative Director of the Flower Show, emphasized the show’s role in inspiring visitors and influencing industry trends: “The Philadelphia Flower Show provides a platform for some of the world’s most renowned designers and growers to highlight the best and newest ideas in the industry. This serves as a source of inspiration and joy for our visitors. These displays often reflect up-and-coming industry trends that are then incorporated by gardeners, landscapers, and florists of all levels around the globe.”
Key trends identified at the 2024 Philadelphia Flower Show, held from March 2 to March 10, include:
Trending Houseplants:
Aroids, begonias, gesneriads, and terrariums stole the spotlight at the 2024 Flower Show. Aroids such as philodendron and monstera remained popular, while begonias witnessed a surge in public interest, showcasing rare varieties like Begonia pteridifolium and Begonia montaniformis. Gesneriads, including Streptocarpus and Sinningia, experienced significant growth. Terrariums, known for their versatility and eye-catching designs, emerged as a favored choice among exhibitors and visitors alike.
Landscape Trends:
The rewilding of land, particularly in urban areas, emerged as a prominent trend in 2024. Rewilding focuses on restoring biodiversity and natural processes by reducing human intervention and reintroducing native plant and animal species. Exhibits like Kelly Norris’ “A Beautiful Disturbance” and Apiary Studio’s “Right of Way” showcased the integration of wild landscapes into urban settings.
Floral Event Design Trends:
Hyper-locally sourced cut flowers gained traction at the 2024 show, as demonstrated by Jennifer Designs’ floral map of the U.S. featuring flowers sourced according to USDA hardiness zones. Table-top topiaries and arrangements emerged as popular choices for adding color and texture to event spaces.
Floral Trends:
Monotone, bold neon colors, color-blocking, and large-scale floral sculptures emerged as dominant trends in floral design. The incorporation of organic materials like fruits and vegetables added whimsy to arrangements, while the use of 3-D printers and unconventional media allowed for the creation of unique, organic shapes. Anthuriums in vibrant colors were highlighted as striking additions to floral displays.
The insights gleaned from the 2024 Philadelphia Flower Show offer a glimpse into the evolving landscape of gardening and floral design, setting the stage for future trends in the industry.