Trevose Horticultural Society celebrates America’s 250th with 'Red, White and Bloom'

Patriotic pride will blossom when the Trevose Horticultural Society presents its 103rd National Garden Club Standard Flower Show, "Red, White and Bloom," on Friday, Aug. 21 from 4 to 8 p.m, and Saturday, Aug. 22 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m, at St. Ephrem Catholic Church, 5400 Hulmeville Rd., in Bensalem.

Held in honor of America's 250th anniversary, the free, family-friendly event will combine floral artistry, horticultural competition, educational exhibits and patriotic creativity while celebrating both the nation's history and the area's longstanding gardening traditions.

"We come up with our themes a year in advance to prepare," said Trevose Horticultural Society President Karen Wychock. "Knowing that it was going to be the 250th anniversary of our nation inspired the idea. Also, we had never done a patriotic flower show before, so this was the time to do it."

Guests will immediately be greeted by one of the show's most eye-catching displays.

Wychock created an 8-foot wooden Uncle Sam that will welcome visitors at the entrance alongside an American flag, patriotic balloons and containers overflowing with red, white and blue flowers.

Throughout the exhibition hall, designers will interpret patriotic themes through flowers, foliage and artistic creativity.

One featured design class, "Tavern on the Green," challenges participants to create a functional table setting for two while imagining which early American historical figure they would invite to dinner. "So I'll be dining with Ben Franklin," Wychock said with a laugh.

Designers must provide visual clues to help viewers identify their mystery guest.

"I know I'm going to have a kite, I'm going to have keys on the table and I'll have those old spectacles on the table that he used to wear," she said.

Other competitors could potentially select historical figures such as George Washington, Martha Washington, Thomas Jefferson or Betsy Ross.

"I won't know which figures the others select till the day of the show," Wychock said. “It’s a surprise to everyone.”

Another design class, "Soar Like an Eagle," features dramatic pedestal arrangements inspired by one of America's most recognizable symbols.

"We were trying to pick images from the United States, so the eagle seemed like a natural selection," Wychock said.

Designers in "Sea to Shining Sea" will take a more contemporary approach, creating artistic floral designs that incorporate reflective materials.

"This one is not traditional at all," Wychock said. "It's a very creative design, so they can go in any direction they want."

Her own interpretation combines silver elements, a blue background and vibrant orange protea blooms.

Newer designers also have an opportunity to showcase their talents.

The novice-only class, "Tea for Me," features breakfast trays for one complete with floral arrangements. Participants who have never earned a blue ribbon will compete using either modern or colonial-inspired tableware.

"I think with the patriotic theme, people will probably go with the more historical type of dinnerware," Wychock said.

Another popular competition, "Let Freedom Ring," asks participants to decorate a 14-inch wooden bell using only natural materials such as dried plant materials, herbs and spices.

"It's been a very popular class," Wychock said. "There are eight people in that class, which is more than we normally take."

Although competitive design entries have already closed, many opportunities remain for the public to participate.

Gardeners are invited to enter flowers, vegetables, herbs, houseplants, flowering branches and other horticultural specimens. The show includes 126 horticulture classes ranging from annuals and perennials to container-grown plants, dish gardens and patio planters.

"There are 126 classes of horticulture," Wychock said. "I suggest you bring your best specimens, not the most, but your best, so quality, not quantity. We'll be there to help you suggest which ones to display to help you earn a blue ribbon."

Some classes celebrate newly introduced flower and vegetable varieties released in 2026, while others feature challenge classes for members who grew white cosmos, red coleus and blue pole beans from seed earlier this year.

Young gardeners also are encouraged to participate.

Children ages 18 and younger may enter the "Young Patriots" competition by decorating a 4-inch flower pot with a patriotic theme. No preregistration is required.

The competition is divided into three age groups: under 7, under 12 and under 18.

"They could use stickers or stencils if they prefer not to use freehand. Finger paint is also fine," Wychock said.

The show also includes a Sponsored Groups Division featuring members of the Bensalem Senior Center, who created patriotic ceramic flower pots after participating in a special workshop led by Wychock.

"We supplied everything for them," she said. "We talked about decorating the pot and what they could use."

Senior participants used patriotic stencils, hand-painted designs and other creative techniques before submitting their finished pieces for competition. Additional seniors are also welcome to enter by bringing their own decorated pots.

Beyond the competitions, visitors can explore several educational exhibits.

"Rooted in History" chronicles the Trevose Horticultural Society's 103-year history through photographs, artifacts, awards and previous flower show memorabilia.

"We have been around since 1923," Wychock said. "We've had a flower show every year since then except for World War II and the pandemic."

Additional exhibits explain what makes a National Garden Club Standard Flower Show and how judges evaluate entries and select award winners.

The patriotic theme also reflects the historical importance of gardening during America's colonial era.

"All colonial families had kitchen gardens," Wychock said. "Everyone had to grow their own food. They used a lot of plants for their day-to-day medicines, so that's a big connection with colonial gardens."

She believes gardening continues to bring people together today.

"When people leave our show, I hope they bring back some patriotism," Wychock said. "Gardening is a great way to unify the country."

She also sees a renewed interest in home gardening as more people seek locally grown food and greater confidence in where their produce comes from.

For visitors who simply want an enjoyable afternoon, there will be plenty to see beyond the exhibits.

Homemade baked goods, fresh flowers and produce, handcrafted gifts, garden-related items and inexpensive potted plants will be available for purchase at market tables throughout the event.

"Coming to this show is an uplifting experience as you walk around and see all the beautiful designs and all the horticulture,” Wychock said. “It's a great way to spend an afternoon and learn something. You can also walk away with something."

She hopes many visitors will discover not only a love of gardening but also a welcoming community of fellow gardeners.

"You might be interested in joining after coming to our show," she said. "All of our meetings are listed on our website."

For more information or to view the complete flower show schedule, visit trevosegardeners.org or the Trevose Horticultural Society's Facebook page. The show schedule is available under the website's newsletter tab.

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