Brilliant! The Philadelphia Flower Show

I always leave the Philadelphia Flower Show with a bouquet of ideas for my home and garden. And, of course, I buy a few of the plants, tools and other garden gadgets that will help turn my musings into my own piece of paradise.

2266_lThis year’s show is, well, Brilliant! That’s also the name of the extravaganza that celebrates English gardens. If riotous color, glorious ponds and lush greenery are your cuppa, go straight to the Pennsylvania Convention Center and savor a banquet of miniatures, arrangements and large-scale exhibits. (These sumptuous shots were taken by R. Kennedy for the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corp.)

Then start shopping — although it’s hard to know where to begin with 125 merchants in house.

1085_lLook for lily bulbs at De Waterlelie, a purveyor from the Netherlands. Check out the cobra head, a tool sold by a company in Wisconsin that goes after weeds like a badger. Have a chat with the folks at EP Henry, a wonderful South Jersey company that can help you to create a Brit-inspired hardscape at your castle. Pennsylvania Horticultural Society is selling themed mementoes of the event, as well as topiaries, herbs and other green goodies.

The show runs through Sunday, March 10. Tickets are $27 for adults, $20 for students, and $15 for children age 2-16. Tots under 2 are admitted free.