The Lost Gardens of Philadelphia

The 2013 Philadelphia Flower Show – which opened on 2nd March and runs through until the 10th March – has this year chosen the themes of 'Brilliant' and ‘British’, and thanks to Martyn Greenacre from the Philadelphia Mens Gardening Club, a piece of The Lost Gardens of Heligan has being recreated at the show.

"As a regular visitor to Heligan for almost twenty years I have been delighted to collaborate with my fellow enthusiasts to create an exhibit which we hope will give a sense of the history and atmosphere of the Gardens” he comments.  “I am very excited to bring these wonderful gardens to the attention of the 250,000 visitors to The Philadelphia Flower Show."

The show began in 1829 and aims to motivate people to improve their quality of life and create a sense of community through horticulture.  It includes acres of gardens, plants and floral designs, culinary demonstrations by celebrity chefs, shopping (with over 180 vendors), free wine and food tastings, as well as hundreds of ‘how-to’ demonstrations and lectures and a kids zone.

“This will be a Flower Show that celebrates Britain’s amazing landscapes and cultural icons, as well as the city that has become the design capital of the world,” explains Drew Becher, President of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. “It will lift up the British passion for gardening, which has contributed so much the appreciation of horticulture and its role in our lives.”

George Elworthy, Managing Director, Lost Gardens of Heligan comments, "It's a great compliment that the Lost Gardens have been recreated in this way.  Philadelphia is known as the ‘birthplace of America’ and the Horticultural Society there has been active since 1827, so we are in good company.  I hope that the Show will inspire its visitors to pay a visit to the UK to see the much bigger, real-life version too!"