It's "Springtime in Paris" for 2011 Philadelphia International Flower Show

PHILADELPHIA (February 2011) - Philadelphia will command the world's stage for a spectacular tribute to Europe's City of Light when the Philadelphia International Flower Show debuts "Springtime in Paris," March 6 - 13 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

The entire city will be aglow with special displays and distinctive promotions to welcome the hundreds of thousands of visitors who attend the festivities during Show week.

"The Philadelphia International Flower Show brings both area residents and visitors from around the world into the heart of our great city," says PHS President Drew Becher. "We hope to showcase all that Philadelphia has to offer and solidify the City of Brotherly Love's position as a vibrant place to live and a premier destination for travelers from all walks of life."

The Philadelphia International Flower Show, presented by PNC, is this nation's premiere horticultural event, an award-winning destination consistently ranked in North America's Top 100 events; featured in the best-selling 1,000 Places to Visit Before You Die; and known throughout the world as a must-see for flower and garden lovers.

This year's Flower Show will transport winter-weary guests to the romantic and stylish streets of Paris, through acres of remarkable gardens, cafes, parks and floral displays. Visitors first enter a stunning Parisian park filled with the scent of lilac, lavender and roses and thousands of tulips blooming beneath the glittering, 37-foot-high arch of the Eiffel Tower.

A cadre of colorful topiary animals - including a peacock, unicorn, ostrich and butterfly-- created by Valley Forge Flowers will sprout from the display and lead to the Carousel Stage. Here, the magical recreation of Paris continues with daily performances by French can-can dancers and cabaret singers, all under the ornate canopy of one of Paris's iconic landmarks.

The region's landscape and floral designers will spark the imaginations of each Flower Show visitor as they capture the many facets of Paris in lively, bold and colorful depictions. Jamie Rothstein Distinctive Floral Designs will team up with French antiques collector John Whitenight on an exhibit that epitomizes "Opulent Paris," with a glamorous interior parlor and exterior garden in the style of the Belle �poque.

"Romantic Paris" will come to life through the designs of Robertson's Flowers in a glorious fantasy wedding scene at N�tre Dame. The masterpieces of France's greatest artists will be interpreted by Michael Petrie's Handmade Gardens in an inspired portrayal of "Artists' Paris."

The 2011 Show includes a nod toward the avant-garde in "Underground Paris," created by the best-in-show-winning American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD). The otherworldly scene, which takes inspiration from Paris's catacombs, features edgy art recreated en fleur. Conversely, Stoney Bank Nurseries goes skyward to serve up "Delectable Paris," celebrating great Parisian cuisine amid overflowing rooftop gardens, while Burke Brothers Landscape Contractors transports guests to "Timeless Paris," an urbane world of green courtyards and intimate cafes.

Talented exhibitors will also pay tribute to the Champs-Elysees, the Tour de France, ateliers, a perfumerie, and even a renowned Parisian burial ground in massive displays of exquisite floral and landscape design.

Plants are always the stars of the Flower Show and this year thousands of beautifully groomed plants and a host of artistic designs will be entered by individuals in the fiercely competitive classes. Education is also a large aspect of the Show and more than 150 free presentations and instructional displays will focus on the newest gardening trends, featuring renowned national experts and designers.

One new element is a display of outstanding varieties of cut flowers and floral design. Working with the Society of American Florists (SAF) and Smithers-Oasis, PHS will host dozens of noted floral designers who will create cutting-edge designs daily to inspire both the professional and recreational horticulturalists.

Shoppers will find a bustling Marketplace with a vast array of plants and products for the garden. Foodies will enjoy culinary demonstrations by the region's noted chefs and a Wine and Spirits Garden, with free tastings, presented by the PA Wine & Spirits Store in the Grand Hall.

The 2011 Philadelphia International Flower Show benefits PHS and is presented by PNC. PHS has 17,000 members throughout the country, offers hundreds of educational programs year-round, and is considered the nation's leading authority on transforming communities through greening.

The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (www.pnc.com) is one of the nation's largest diversified financial services organizations providing retail and business banking; residential mortgage banking; specialized services for corporations and government entities, including corporate banking, real estate finance and asset-based lending; wealth management; asset management and global fund services.

Since Flower Show revenues support the work of PHS, its reach extends far beyond Show week. In 2011, the Show's impact will grow substantially with the launch of Plant One Million, an extraordinary campaign to encourage the planting of one million trees in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware, and City Harvest, the trend-setting job-training and readiness program that brings together an alliance of urban farmers with those in need, providing fresh produce for more than 1,000 underserved families each week during the growing season.

This year, the public will be able to contribute to these efforts in myriad ways as donors, volunteers and promoters of this important work. Charitybuzz, the online auction, will host a live auction Feb. 24 to March18 with trips abroad and VIP experiences. The Flower Show Preview Party on March 5 will feature the first-ever President's Award, to be presented to PNC for leadership in environmental stewardship. PNC is celebrating its 20th year as the Show's presenting sponsor.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.theflowershow.com. For behind-the-scenes information about the Show, visit the Flower Show Blog, Facebook and Twitter pages.

To see a video preview of the Flower Show visit www.theflowershow.com/movie.html.