Philadelphia International Flower Show

Cracking Art Group REgeneration Project

Marvin Gardens USA is honored to be part of the international artistic collective Cracking Art Group and Italy’s renowned Galleria Ca’ d’Oro. The Red Snails are part of the global sensation known as the REgeneration Art Project, and is a public art series designed to intrigue the mind, to reconnect it with nature, and to prompt curiosity about the origination of the materials. All of the colorful animals are made from recycled materials and up-cycled into large, over-sized contemporary art. The vibrant colors and over-sized animals are whimsical and unexpected, drawing ones attention and inspiring conversation. The art installations are placed in high traffic urban areas, such as New York City, Miami, Paris, Rome, Prague, Venice, Sydney and many more amazing and unusual locations.

At Marvin Gardens USA, many of our home and garden elements are vintage or antique, with less emphasis on modern production goods. Our philosophy of re-purposing existing elements and recreating them into modern day trendy and stylish elements lends itself to the same philosophy of the Cracking Art Group, which focuses on – “…the importance of recycling and its environmental impact, while leaving a potent artistic trace in the communities we live in.”

Please join us at Marvin Gardens USA to touch, feel, photograph and ask questions about the REgeneration Art Project’s Red Snails. Share this post with friends and Like our Facebook page…spread the word about the REgeneration project. The Snails are disarmingly charming! Please inquire if you wish to purchase a snail.

Thank you, Gloria Porcella, Executive Producer and Artistic Curator of Galleria Ca’ d’Oro, for the wonderful and heartfelt opportunity you have provided Marvin Gardens USA. We are so pleased to be part of this international sensation.

Amabel Chan, Principal
Marvin Gardens USA

Design Your Own Garden Oasis, Year Round

In the harsh winters of the northeast, the challenge of creating a year round garden seems out of the question. But imagine designing your own lush paradise, full of the unique and exquisite plants that you admire. Fortunately, there are ways to keep this environment accessible all the time, with a clever greenhouse.

For decades, master architects and garden enthusiasts have designed greenhouses that ensure a thriving garden throughout the year. Take a look at some of these inspiring greenhouses from all over the world.

Built by ON Design Partners, this Japanese greenhouse provides access to lively plants and fresh vegetables (used for local restaurants) in the middle of a busy city.

This contemporary greenhouse, designed by Gora Art & Landscape is situated in a Sweden courtyard.

Some additional stunning greenhouse designs.

Designing a greenhouse is something that can be done in virtually any space. Even with just a few square feet and sunlight, a remarkable greenhouse can be created to keep you connected with nature all year round. Next, we’ll share more with you about how to create your very own greenhouse.

What do you think of these greenhouses?

Images via Garden Design (1-2), Etsy (3), EcoFriend ( 4 – 5)

Everything You Need to Know About the Philadelphia Flower Show

It’s finally time! We have been sharing with you our excitement for the Philadelphia Flower Show for months now, and this weekend marks the opening weekend of the phenomenal show. As you can imagine, Marvin Gardens has been busy getting ready for the show, bringing in new merchandise and setting up our space at Booth #301.

If you haven’t had a chance yet to research the event and purchase tickets, we wanted to make sure you have all the information you need. The Show will run from March 4^th through March 11^th and will be held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center (12^th & Arch Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19107-2299). Tickets may be purchased online and there’s also a floorplan available that you can use to find us! There will be dozens of special surprises as well, like a special “Man Cave” for guests who need to relax for a bit.

Visiting the Philadelphia Flower Show has always been a wonderful experience for us and we look forward to seeing each of you at the event as well!

Image via M T Miller

Looking Forward to the Philadelphia Garden Show!

Philadelphia Flower Show 2008 — Every year, the Philadelphia Flower Show is highlighted with a specific theme. In the image above, 2008 was the year to "Jazz it Up!"

With 2012 well underway, here at Marvin Gardens we have been busy getting ready for the year ahead! Though there will be many new products, displays, and projects you’ll find at our shop this year, right now we’re excited to be gearing up for the annual Philadelphia International Flower Show. You might recall that last year, Marvin Gardens was honored as a prestigious Blue Ribbon Winner!

Each year, designers and talented gardeners travel from all over the world come to the show to display their fine items and plants, and with a Hawaiian theme for this year, we can’t wait to see what’s in store.

Marvin Gardens will also be proudly exhibiting some of our interesting and new garden products. We especially look forward to finding new, creative ways to incorporate our unique garden style into a Hawaiin theme – the ideas are already pouring in! This year’s show will begin on March 4 and continue through March 11, so be sure to mark your calendars.

Also remember to keep in mind that this month, Marvin Gardens will be closed until January 18^th but we are still gladly accepting private appointments and you might even be able to catch Amabel at the shop if you time it right! In the meantime, stop by our Facebook page to share with us what you are looking forward to during 2012!

Image via knightp

Grow your own Meyer Lemon Tree

I just posted earlier today about some different foliage that Marvin Gardens featured at this year’s Philadelphia International Flower Show. That made me think about all of the other plants that we featured, of which my favorite has to be the Meyer Lemon Tree.

Meyer Lemon Trees bear large, juicy, thick-skinned lemons at an early age. But even if there were no lemons to bear, with its glossy leaves, white flowers and intense fragrant, it would still be attractive enough to grow anyway. And if space is an issue for you, they are small enough for urban balconies and limited-space gardens.

Caring for a Meyer Lemon Tree…

Most single citrus tree should be pruned so that it is smaller at the top, and bigger at the bottom, allowing for more surface area to receive sunlight. The popular instructional website eHow.com actually has a great article on how to care for a Meyer Lemon Tree.

One more thing…if you like to add a little lemon to your water, once you harvest your tree (and prior to pruning, of course) you can freeze your fresh squeezed lemon juice in ice cube trays. This is a terrific way to serve water with a hint of tart lemon juice. If you’re interested in more info on how you can grow your own Meyer Lemon Tree, contact us here at Marvin Garden.

Marvin Gardens Awarded Blue Ribbon at Philadelphia Flower Show

The Philadelphia International Flower Show is strongly considered one of the premier gardening events in the world, in part because so many outstanding talents make their way to the Show each year the showcase their finest plants and design work.

So when it was announced this past Sunday that Marvin Gardens won the Blue Ribbon for Best Retail Exhibit, we were absolutely thrilled!

Since 1829, the Philadelphia has maintained a tradition of showing some of the most exceptional and unique plants and displays from around the world, so to be now listed in the Shows history as one of the best in class, well, that’s truly an honor.

The Philadelphia Flower Show continues throughout Sunday, March 13, and we plan to be around and take in as much of the scenery as possible. Be sure to stop back to the blot later in the week, as I’m sure there will be plenty more great photos to post!