The Philadelphia Flower Show is set for the summer, but the City of Philadelphia is going to get a floral makeover a bit sooner than that.
The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) recently announced the return of its two Pop Up Gardens at South Street in Center City and at Jamestown Avenue in Manayunk for the 2021 season. The pop-ups will follow the traditions of the gardens in years past by blending horticulture and the culinary arts right in the heart of Philadelphia.
South Street’s “urban oasis” is set to open April 1, while Manayunk’s venue will be planted later on in May. According to a release, both venues offer visitors a safe and relaxing garden space, designed to incorporate colorful and architectural foliage with a peaceful atmosphere located in an urban setting. At both locations, the new array of seasonal flowers and foliage provides an abundance of annuals and perennials that will welcome pollinators throughout the summer and early fall. Both spaces will also be offering Philadelphians the chance to book private spaces in the garden for groups and small events as well.
Sticking to the theme of blending the beauty and tastes of what Philly has to offer, both pop-ups will also be offering fare from local favorites—such as Cantina Los Caballitos and Khyber Pass Pub with highlighted menu items spanning from a garden burger, plenty of vegan options, and new offerings such as their Mexican shrimp cocktail, a lemony artichoke and herb hummus, and the Nashville hot chicken wrap alongside of kid-friendly options like chicken fingers, burgers, and fries.
In May, seasonal drink options will also begin to spring up celebrating Cinco De Mayo, and food items ranging from seafood specials to BBQ. On the spirited side of the menu, those who head to South Street or Manayunk can sip on the frozen mojito with Faber rum, mint simple syrup, lime juice, butterfly pea powder and mint sprig and new additions like the Frozen Gritty Marg, made with Lundazi silver tequila, Tang, lime slice and a black salt rim and the Old Fashioned with Larceny whiskey, sugar, lilac bitters, and an orange twist. For beer lovers, the Pop Up Gardens will feature 16 options with a variety of IPAs, ciders, wheat beers and sour beers, with craft beer selections including the Half Acre Daisy Cutter Pale Ale, Cigar City Jai Alai IPA, and Log Yard Blueberry Shandy. A full selection of wines and non-alcoholic options will also be available at both locations.
“We’re so excited to be giving visitors the opportunity to be immersed in these unique horticultural settings again in the safest way possible,” says Cristina Tessaro, Associate Director of Urban Activation at PHS, in a statement. “With new additions this year like private booking, it’s an experience that ties together horticulture with top notch food and beverages that can’t be found anywhere else.”
Those who head to the pop-ups can also purchase tickets to the 2021 Philadelphia Flower Show, which is set to be held in FDR Park in June.
According to the release, in addition to the Pop Up Gardens offering a welcome respite in both communities, they also contribute to PHS’s beneficial work in the surrounding region. Proceeds from the gardens help make it possible for PHS to fund programs that touch 250 neighborhoods throughout the region such as LandCare, which creates healthier living environments through vacant lot cleanup, and Harvest, which combats food insecurity by providing access to fresh, healthy food. By coming to the gardens or becoming a member of PHS, visitors help in facilitating the work PHS does throughout the Philadelphia region.
Both Pop Up Gardens will follow CDC-recommended guidelines when they open, as PHS has set guidelines within the space in accordance with city and CDC recommendations for safe social distancing at restaurants. These guidelines can be found online, and so can the most current information on hours, menu, safety guidelines, inclement weather plans, and more. Interested Philadelphians can visit phsonline.org/popups and can follow PHS Pop Up Gardens all season with @PHSGardening on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and the PHS Blog.
