SPONSORS OF THE FLOWER SHOW BRING
GREEN MESSAGES

The companies and institutions that are sponsoring the 2008 Philadelphia Flower Show are bringing special products, offers and services to visitors this year. Many are also coming to the Show with a green message, in keeping with the environmental mission of The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.

The PNC Financial Services Group is the Presenter of the 2008 Flower Show for the 17th year. Over the course of that long relationship, PNC has given approximately $6.5 million to PHS to sponsor the Show, which in turn supports community projects through Philadelphia Green, PHS’s urban revitalization program.

PNC is a nationally recognized leader in environmental sustainability. The firm has more environmentally friendly buildings (44) certified by the U.S. Green Building Council than any other company in the world. PNC received a trademark from the U.S. Patent and Trademark office for the term “green branch.” More than 50 percent of a green branch, including floors, wall coverings and furniture fabric, is made from recycled or green materials. In addition, energy and water usage has been reduced and construction waste is recycled or salvaged. Information about PNC’s green branches will be presented at one of PNC’s displays at the Flower Show titled, PNC Park.
At another PNC branded site at the Show, the PNC Pavilion, visitors can cast their vote for a “People’s Choice” winner among their favorite Show exhibits. In turn, everyone who completes a ballot will be entered into a drawing for several prizes, including airline tickets, a weekend getaway and a gardening gift pack.

Subaru of America, Premier Sponsor of the 2008 Flower Show, will host an exhibit devoted to state-of-the-art green roof technology, which conserves energy for homeowners and businesses, reduces storm water runoff, and cuts pollution.

Subaru, which has long been associated with environmentally sensitive consumers, takes a three-legged position on greening. First, the Subaru factory in Indiana is certified as a zero-landfill site, meaning nothing is sent to landfills from the factory; materials are reused, recycled, burned to ash, or used for building roads. Second, the company produces vehicles using clean car technology that burns virtually no emissions. And third, Subaru offers a fuel-efficient all-wheel drive fleet.

Acme Markets offers the Official Bouquet of Philadelphia Flower Show for sale at all Acme Markets and onsite in the Show Marketplace. Proceeds from the sale of bouquets will support greening initiatives of The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.

Bartlett Tree Experts celebrated its 100th year last year, which speaks to the company’s place in the arboriculture industry. Bartlett is turning to more organic products and taking a leading role in protecting the environment. The company will launch a campaign beginning in June emphasizing the use of organic fertilizers and the use of biodegradable lubricants on equipment.

Cabrini College in Radnor, Pa., is creating a residential living-learning community on campus focused on environmental awareness this year. It will link courses in science, psychology and English with field experiences, lab research, social events and other activities to help students learn to analyze multifaceted environmental problems, design workable solutions, and put those solutions into practice. The Environmental Awareness Community will be launched in fall 2008.

EP Henry, the country’s leading independently owned manufacturer of hardscaping and concrete products, has a new line of environmental paving systems. Monoslabs allow the growth of grass and allow rain water to percolate back into the ground. The company’s ECO Pavers look like conventional concrete pavers but include protrusions, or lugs, on the sides to ensure separation between them for storm water infiltration.

Fiskars is a leading manufacturer of ergonomic gardening tools, reducing strain on muscles, back, wrists and hands. One of the company’s innovations is PowerGear technology, which utilizes a progressive double-gear mechanism that increases cutting ability with the least resistance. Fiskar products have been acclaimed by the Arthritis Foundation and the Disability Rights Advocates.

Mantis, a manufacturer of gardening and yard equipment, is an educational partner with the Camden County Technical School’s hi-tech landscape design class. The display will focus on garden organics. Mantis is also conducting a composting demonstration in the Gardener’s Studio.

Monrovia has been a pioneer in plant technology since 1926, innovating dozens of horticultural techniques. Since the 1960s, Monrovia has established numerous initiatives to reduce the use of pesticides, waste and runoff from fertilizers at its nurseries. The Oregon nursery received the EPA Evergreen Award in 2001 for pollution prevention efforts.  The company is now one of the world’s largest producers of container grown plants, and has introduced hundreds of patented plants, more than 200 of which are Monrovia exclusives.

Philadelphia International Airport has adopted an Environmental Stewardship program, which is responsible for the careful management of natural and cultural resources. The Program includes:

Green power partnership with PECO to reduce consumption of electricity

Creation and restoration of wetlands and habitat within and around the Heinz National Wildlife Refuge

Recycling initiative

Community garden on PHL property

THProperties is a Pennsylvania developer whose priorities include preservation of open space and protection of the Perkiomen Watershed. THP -- which unofficially stands for “to help people” -- also has a strong philanthropic mission. Since Hurricane Katrina, THP employees have traveled to New Orleans numerous times to assist in rebuilding homes there. At the Flower Show, a musical topiary wishing well at the THP exhibit will allow visitors to donate money to help purchase musical instruments for schoolchildren in New Orleans.

Tourism Ireland display, staged by Celtic Gardens, sports a planted roof and beautiful Irish garden. The next best thing to visiting the Emerald Isle is to bring a piece of Ireland to gardens in the U.S., and so, Tourism Ireland is providing gift bag full of imported, “official” Irish soil for Flower Show guests to add to their own home gardens.

FOR PRESS INFORMATION, CONTACT:
ALAN JAFFE, email or call 215-988-8833
LAURA BEITMAN, email or call 215-988-8836