Show returned indoors this year after a 2-year hiatus
The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) announces its list of award winners at the 2023 Philadelphia Flower Show, “The Garden Electric.” Located in the Pennsylvania Convention Center, the Flower Show returned indoors this year after a 2-year hiatus hosting the Show outdoors due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This year’s Show incorporates the most beloved aspects of the past 2 outdoor Shows to create a familiar, yet innovative, experience for guests. (Rob Cardillo for the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society)
PHILADELPHIA — The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) announces its list of award winners at the 2023 Philadelphia Flower Show, “The Garden Electric.” Located in the Pennsylvania Convention Center, the Flower Show returned indoors this year after a 2-year hiatus hosting the Show outdoors due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This year’s Show incorporates the most beloved aspects of the past 2 outdoor Shows to create a familiar, yet innovative, experience for guests.
For the first time in the Show’s history, many designers have been tasked with creating gardens between 2,200 and 2,900 square feet in size, making them the largest gardens ever displayed at the event. This new design direction is meant to mimic the feel of being outdoors and immersed in nature, offering a 360-degree blooming wonderland that can be viewed from all angles.
“The PHS Philadelphia Flower Show Cup for Best in Show,” “The Philadelphia Trophy” and the “Governor’s Trophy” are among the many coveted awards bestowed. The 2023 exhibitor lineup placed emphasis on highlighting and uplifting garden and landscape designers from a variety of professions, experiences, and specialties, giving them an opportunity to share and showcase their unique perspectives.
The design inspiration for “The Garden Electric,” is dedicated to the spark of joy that comes from flowers and gardens. Designers created works of art featuring a dazzling array of colors, unique shapes and textures, rich fragrances, multi-media elements, and innovative designs focused on the opulent and celebratory aspects of flowers and gardens.
“The exhibits at this year’s Flower Show, ‘The Garden Electric’ reflected the wide-ranging viewpoints of many of the industry’s preeminent names. From peaceful landscapes to over-the-top floral installations, designers took the theme to heart and created electrifying works of art that thrilled judges and the public,” said Seth Pearsoll, Creative Director of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.
“The PHS Philadelphia Flower Show Cup for Best in Show – Landscape” was presented to ILLExotics, a Philadelphia-based boutique store that specializes in exotic plants such aroids, orchids, and captive-bred creatures. The boutique’s exhibit, “Studio Exotica,” is a Studio-54-inspired nightclub fully overtaken by tropical greenery and flowers, complete with a floral DJ, bartender, and dancers.
“The PHS Philadelphia Flower Show Cup for Best in Show – Floral” was awarded to Harijanto Setiawan, an architect-turned-florist from Singapore and the creator of Boenga Floral Studio. His installation, “Florid Electron,” merged cutting-edge floral design, lighting, and experiential elements to create an immersive environment merging the world of floral design with interactive art.
The Philadelphia Award was presented to Newfields, led by renowned designer Jonathan Wright, the director of The Garden and Fairbanks Park at Newfields. This was Newfields’ first year exhibiting at the Flower Show, and their exhibit utilized mixed media projections to captivate guests.
The Silver Award was presented to Mark Cook of Mark Cook Landscaping & LLC, which has previously received numerous prestigious honors at the Flower Show, including Best in Show in 2022 and 2020.
The 2023 Philadelphia Flower Show is taking place from March 4 – 12. Visit phsonline.org/the-flower-show for additional information on the show’s dates and times, as well as details on the complete list of exhibitors, musical talent, the marketplace, and ancillary experiences and events.
Tickets can be purchased online at tickets.phsonline.org.
For a full list of Flower Show award winners, please see the listing below.
2023 Award Winners
LANDSCAPE DESIGN WINNERS
| The PHS Philadelphia Flower Show Cup – Best in Show | ILLExotics |
| The PHS Philadelphia Flower Show Silver Trophy – Landscape exhibit receiving the second-highest number of points. | Mark Cook Landscaping & Contracting LLC |
| The Governor’s Trophy –
Innovative/visually stimulating/unique design |
ILLExotics |
| The Philadelphia Trophy –
Best use of color with flowering plants |
Newfields |
| The PHS Council Trophy –
Most accomplished display of unique and diverse plants |
Newfields |
| Pennsylvania Landscape & Nursery Association Trophy – showing the most effective use of plants and best use of design in the Landscape category |
Mark Cook Landscaping & Contracting LLC |
| Men’s Garden Club of Delaware Valley Award – to a garden containing plants suited to the Delaware Valley, in a setting that can primarily be maintained by one person | Susan Cohan Gardens |
| The American Horticultural Society Environmental Award – for an exhibit of horticultural excellence that best demonstrates the bond between horticulture and the environment and inspires the viewer to beautify home and community through skillful design and appropriate plant material | Treeline Designz |
| The Kate and Robert Bartlett, Jr. Award – Best Use of Trees | Laurel Brook Gardens |
| PHS Gardening for the Greater Good Award – for the exhibit that best exemplifies PHS’s mission to activate horticulture and gardening as a force for the “greater good” by advancing the health and well-being of people and their environments | Apiary Studio |
FLORAL DESIGN WINNERS
| The PHS Philadelphia Flower Show Cup – Best in Show | Harijanto Setiawan |
| The Philadelphia Flower Show Silver Trophy – Floral exhibit receiving the second-highest number of points | Schaffer Designs |
| The Mayor’s Trophy –
For the Floral exhibit that demonstrates the most innovative or unique design or use of floral, plants or products |
Harijanto Setiawan |
| American Orchid Society Award | Waldor Orchids |
| The Emile H. Geschick Memorial Award – for a distinctive orchid display
|
Arrange Floral and Event Design |
| Society of American Florists Flower Show Award – for artistic presentation of flowers and plants for public enjoyment. | Schaffer Designs |
| The Phyllis M. Craig Award – for the Floral major exhibit demonstrating the best use of color in flowering and/or foliage plants | Polycarp Flowers |
| PHS Gardening for the Greater Good Award – for the exhibit that best exemplifies PHS’s mission to activate horticulture and gardening as a force for the “greater good” by advancing the health and well-being of people and their environments | Black Girl Florists |
EDUCATIONAL EXHIBIT WINNERS
| The Alfred M. Campbell Memorial Trophy – for the Educational major exhibit that demonstrates the most successful use of a variety of plants in a unique fashion | Temple University |
| Chicago Horticultural Society Flower Show Medal – to an educational exhibit showing outstanding horticultural skill and knowledge in a nationally-recognized flower show | Mercer County Community College |
| PHS Sustainability Award – for the educational exhibit demonstrating the best use of sustainable gardening practices to the public | University of Delaware |
| Pennsylvania Landscape & Nursery Assoc Trophy | Temple University |
| The Bulkley Medal of The Garden Club of America – the exhibit of exceptional educational merit increases the knowledge and awareness of the viewing public. It is the exhibit that best combines an important message with the ability to convey that message to the public. | Temple University |
| The PHS Gold Medal Award –
Best use of PHS Gold Medal Plants |
Mercer County Community College |
| PHS Gardening for the Greater Good – for the exhibit that best exemplifies PHS’s mission to activate horticulture and gardening as a force for the “greater good” by advancing the health and well-being of people and their environments | Temple University |
PHS MEDAL WINNERS
PHS awards medals for all 3 categories of exhibitors based on different criteria to celebrate creativity and exceptional execution. Exhibits are scored and awards are given based on design, horticultural excellence, construction and craftsmanship, and educational value (for educational exhibits).
GOLD MEDAL
Harijanto Setiawan
ILLExotics
Jennifer Designs
Lakeside School Greenhouse
Mark Cook Landscaping & Contracting LLC
Mercer County Community College
Newfields
Schaffer Designs
Temple University
W.B. Saul High School of Agricultural Science
SILVER MEDAL
Black Girl Florists
Irwin Landscaping and Prairie Wind
Laurel Brook Gardens
Polycarp Flowers
University of Delaware
BRONZE MEDAL
American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD)
Apiary Studio
Arrange Floral & Event Design
Delaware Valley University
EMY Custom Flowers
The Men’s Garden Club of Philadelphia
Nature’s Gallery
Petite Jardin en Ville
Susan Cohan Gardens
Treeline Designz
–Pennsylvania Horticultural Society