Phila Garden Show: 2024 Exhibitor List and Must-See Plant Trends Revealed

The Phila Garden Show has become a must-visit for both hobbyists and professionals, offering a perfect blend of education and inspiration. 🌿 This year’s lineup goes beyond traditional plants—it dives into sustainable solutions like hydroponics and vertical gardens, which are gaining traction as urban spaces become prime growing areas.

Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting, the mix of expert-led workshops and hands-on demonstrations makes it easy to pick up new skills while discovering unique plants that thrive in your climate.

What sets this year apart is the focus on practical, real-world applications. Exhibitors like Longwood Gardens aren’t just showcasing beauty—they’re demonstrating how to integrate these trends into everyday gardening. For example, their rare perennial collections often include varieties that require minimal water, perfect for regions facing drought conditions.

Meanwhile, Burpee’s heirloom seeds highlight the resurgence of traditional varieties that offer both flavor and resilience. The show’s emphasis on organic pest control also reflects a growing demand for chemical-free gardening methods.

Top 2024 phila garden show exhibitors and their specialties

Longwood Gardens, a perennial favorite since 1993, brings its iconic rare plant collections this year, including 1,200+ varieties of peonies—some dating back to the 1800s. Their expert horticulturists will demonstrate how to propagate these heritage plants using tissue culture techniques, which maintain genetic purity while accelerating growth.

The garden’s 30-foot-tall conservatory will also feature drought-resistant perennials like Echinacea and Rudbeckia, bred to thrive with 30% less water than traditional varieties.

Burpee, America’s oldest seed company (founded 1876), will debut its 2024 heirloom seed collection, including Black Krim tomatoes and Mammoth Melting onions—both prized for their disease resistance and flavor.

Their interactive booth will showcase how to save seeds from hybrid plants using hand-pollination methods, a skill gaining popularity as gardeners seek self-sufficiency. Visitors can also test-drive Burpee’s new UV-blocking seed packets, designed to extend shelf life by 50% in humid climates.

For urban gardeners, GreenStalk Hydroponics (a 2023 debut) returns with its modular vertical farming systems, now available in three sizes—from 1-square-foot countertop units to 8-square-foot wall-mounted towers.

Their live demo will show how these systems use 90% less water than soil gardening while producing 2-3x more yield per square foot. The company’s new LED grow lights mimic full-spectrum sunlight, reducing energy costs by 40% compared to traditional bulbs.

Local nurseries like Virtua Garden Center will highlight pollinator-friendly native plants, including Milkweed (critical for monarch butterflies) and Goldenrod, which supports 40+ bee species. Their experts will teach attendees how to create "bee highways"—connected plantings that provide continuous nectar from March through October.

The center’s new soil-testing kiosk offers instant pH readings, helping gardeners optimize conditions for these native species.

New this year is EcoGrow Systems, specializing in self-watering planters that use capillary matting to deliver moisture directly to roots. Their 12-gallon raised beds can sustain plants for up to 4 weeks without refilling, making them ideal for frequent travelers or busy professionals.

The company’s booth will include a live comparison showing how their system maintains 20% more moisture retention than traditional pots.

Don’t miss Organic Gardener’s Supply, which will showcase its compost tea brewers—devices that convert kitchen scraps into nutrient-rich liquid fertilizer in 24 hours. Their demonstration will reveal how this process reduces food waste while adding 10 essential micronutrients to soil, including calcium, magnesium, and potassium.

The booth will also feature compostable plant markers made from wheat straw, eliminating plastic waste in gardens.

Pro tip: Arrive early for Longwood’s 9 AM rare plant seminar or Burpee’s 11 AM seed-saving workshop—both sell out within 30 minutes. For hydroponics enthusiasts, GreenStalk’s 2 PM demo often includes giveaways of their mini grow kits. 🌱

Must-see 2024 plant trends at the phila garden show

This year’s show is all about making gardening easier and more sustainable.

One of the biggest trends is pollinator-friendly gardens, which focus on native plants that attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. 🌸 Look for exhibitors demonstrating how to create "bee highways" using milkweed and coneflowers—these plants provide continuous nectar from spring to fall.

If you’re new to this, start small with just 3-5 native species in a sunny spot. The Virtua Garden Center will have seed packets and small plants available for purchase right at their booth.

For urban gardeners with limited space, vertical gardening systems are a game-changer. Companies like GreenStalk will showcase self-watering planters and hydroponic towers that can fit on balconies or patios. 🌿 These systems use up to 90% less water than traditional gardening, making them perfect for small spaces.

If you’re curious but unsure where to start, their demo at 2 PM will show you how to set up a basic unit using just a few tools and minimal space.

Climate-adaptive plants are another hot topic, especially for areas experiencing drought.

Succulents and drought-tolerant perennials like lavender and Russian sage require far less water than traditional flowers. 💧 Longwood Gardens will have a special display of these varieties, along with tips on how to amend your soil for better water retention.

Pro tip: Add a 1-inch layer of mulch around your plants to lock in moisture and reduce evaporation.

Don’t overlook the self-watering planters from EcoGrow Systems—they’re ideal for busy gardeners or those who travel frequently.

These planters can go up to 4 weeks without watering, making them perfect for herbs, veggies, or even small flowers. 🌱 If you’re interested, ask about their 12-gallon raised beds, which are great for growing tomatoes or peppers in urban settings.

You can even take home a small sample to test before investing in a full system.

Finally, keep an eye out for compost tea brewers from Organic Gardener’s Supply.

These devices turn kitchen scraps into nutrient-rich fertilizer in just 24 hours, cutting down on food waste while boosting your garden’s health. 🍃 If you’re new to composting, their booth will have simple recipes for brewing tea using fruit peels, coffee grounds, and veggie scraps.

It’s an easy way to give your plants a nutrient boost without buying expensive fertilizers.