Penn State to Feature Garden at Flower Show
The university will return to the Philadelphia event after a 30-year absence next March.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Botany
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Penn State will debut a new garden exhibit at the 198th Philadelphia Flower Show, which takes place at the Pennsylvania Convention Center from March 12 to March 21, 2027. This marks the university's first appearance at the event in three decades.
Why it matters
The exhibit is designed to highlight the research, educational outreach, and state-wide impact of the university. Organizers anticipate the display will be viewed by an estimated 250,000 attendees throughout the week.
The exhibit is a collaborative effort involving students and faculty from various university units and campuses. The project team is currently collecting community-loaned objects to integrate into the display.
The players
The Arboretum at Penn State
This facility is currently managing the collection of community-loaned objects for the upcoming show exhibit.
Pennsylvania Convention Center
This venue serves as the primary location for the annual horticultural event in Philadelphia.
The details
The garden will align with the theme of the 2027 show, titled Iconic. Students and faculty are currently working on the design and fabrication of the installation.
Timeline
December 18, 2026: Deadline to submit objects for the exhibit.
March 12-21, 2027: The dates for the Philadelphia Flower Show.
The Big Picture
The exhibit marks a return to the 198th Philadelphia Flower Show, continuing the university's legacy of public engagement in the state's most prominent botanical gathering. This participation bridges the gap between university research and the public's engagement with horticulture.
Local residents and attendees interested in participating can contribute personal items for the display until December 18, 2026. This interaction provides a unique opportunity for the community to be featured directly within a major institutional exhibit.
The takeaway
This exhibit offers a look at how academic research can be translated into public-facing botanical art. Residents are encouraged to check the submission guidelines early to ensure their items meet the criteria for the Iconic theme.
Further reading
For more information on horticultural displays in the region, visit Philadelphia Botany.
More information
To submit an object for consideration, visit the Arboretum at Penn State object submission.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Express.
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