DelVal Returns for 2026 Philadelphia Flower Show

Delaware Valley University returned last week to the Philadelphia Flower Show, presented by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS). DelVal took home a silver medal and a ribbon for its display. PHS awards medals for three categories: landscape, floral design and educational exhibits. DelVal won a second-place silver medal in the educational exhibit category and the Philadelphia Unit of The Herb Society of America, Inc. Award ribbon.

In alignment with this year’s theme, Rooted: Origins of American Gardening, DelVal students created a display that reflected an important piece of the history of all living things. Titled The Language of Life, DelVal’s display honored Carl Linnaeus, a Swedish botanist who is referred to as the father of modern taxonomy. Linnaeus created and organized the taxonomic structure to be used as a universal language for naming living things. He used Latin names for classifications so every botanist around the world, from Philadelphia to Tokyo, could refer to the original naming process and understand each other regardless of their native language.

The exhibit showed Linnaeus’ classifications in a clear to chaotic representation of the intricacy and diversity of living things on this planet. Featuring a trickling stream, flowering shrubs and notes of mint and lavender, the display engaged visitors’ senses as they passed by.

DelVal’s continued participation in the Philadelphia Flower Show highlights its commitment to hands-on, experiential learning. After months of preparing, designing and growing, students in the horticulture and landscape design programs came together to showcase their talents and engage with industry professionals during the weeklong show.

For more information about the 2026 Philadelphia Flower Show, visit phsonline.org.

To learn more about Delaware Valley University’s horticulture and landscape architecture/design programs, visit delval.edu/programs.