Delaware Valley University is participating in the 196th Philadelphia Flower Show, presented by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, that runs through March 9 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. This year marks the university’s 75th consecutive year at the show, a tradition that began in 1950.

This year’s Flower Show theme, Gardens of Tomorrow, challenges exhibitors to envision the future of horticulture. DelVal’s “Into the Clouds” exhibit embraces this vision by blending technology with the natural world. Designed and constructed entirely by DelVal students, the exhibit transports visitors to the year 2150, where digital gardening landscapes redefine the relationship between ecology and innovation. The exhibit features multiple biomes, including a jungle, a desert, and a waterscape, immersing attendees in diverse ecosystems.

“I’m really excited about the Flower Show again this year, both for our exhibit and the other exhibits that go up,” said Michael Fleischacker, associate professor and landscape architecture program administrator at DelVal. “Every year, our students work so hard to make this happen, and every year, they make me proud. One of the things I always look for as a mark of success — it’s not the awards, which the students love, but seeing the lines of people excited to get a glimpse of our exhibit.”

Marissa Vasquez, a senior at DelVal, emphasized the immersive experience the students hope to create.

“We hope that this will bring people a serene feeling — the same sense of calm that being in these different ecosystems can bring if you were actually there,” she said.

DelVal’s participation highlights its commitment to hands-on learning in horticulture and landscape design. The Flower Show provides students a platform to showcase their talents and engage with industry professionals, DelVal alumni, and the public.

Learn more about the horticulture and landscape architecture programs at Delaware Valley University.