Back in Bloom: BCCC’s Floral Design Program Returns to the 2026 Philadelphia Flower Show

Last year, Bucks County Community College's award-winning floral design program made their debut at the Philadelphia Flower Show, taking home a silver medal for their incredible display. The students have returned to the 2026 Philadelphia Flower Show, running now through March 8th, and are presenting Rooted in Art, an exhibit inspired by the show’s theme, “Rooted: Origins of American Gardening.” The display pays tribute to the college’s beginnings on the Newtown estate of artist and educational philanthropist Stella Elkins Tyler, blending horticulture, history, and creative expression.

From Concept to Creation: The Work Behind the Exhibit

“Designing for the Philadelphia Flower Show is a challenge on every level. Our students must conceptualize a design that aligns with both the overall show theme and the exhibit theme—something 200,000+ attendees will instantly understand and connect with—while engineering mechanics that ensure the flowers last and minimize nightly maintenance,” stated Floral Design Instructor Renee Tucci AIFD. “Our work begins six months before the show. We spend four days on site building the exhibit and ten days carefully tending it while the show is open. The students exceeded my expectations. Seeing their plans come to life brought me to tears—the beauty of the designs, and the pride on their faces, was unforgettable.”

Cultivating Creativity Across Disciplines

The exhibit features seven original floral designs, created by eleven students and alumni of the Floral Design Program. It also features six pieces of art by current students in the BCCC School of Arts and Communication from the following disciplines: Jewelry Making, Ceramics, Wood Working, Photography and Sketch. “As designers, we were really lucky to have the freedom to create, but also the guidance from our instructors to elevate our ideas,” stated student Lauren O'Leary. “It was fascinating to watch and listen as our design teams explored Stella's legacy and then created seven distinct pieces that all came together in a truly harmonious way. Of course that's the goal, but it is inspiring to see it realized.”

Art students whose works are featured in the exhibit are: Mason Chase, Payton Ferri, Crystal Grey, Layne Griffaton, Scott Menin, and Sofiya Vasyutinskaya.

Student Maria Salinas said, “I loved being able to create my representation of the Stella Elkins Tyler Sunrise and Sunset sculptures. It's an honor to be a part of the Philadelphia Flower Show as part of the Bucks CCC floral design program. I've gained a lot of experience from being a part of it. It was a lot of hard work that pushed me to learn to create the mechanics needed to be able to put my design together. I enjoyed the whole process; from sketching my ideas out, to covering 30 pieces of wire with yarn, and of course, seeing it finished at the very end.”

First exhibited at Woodmere Art Gallery in Chestnut Hill (now Woodmere Art Museum) in “War Memorial Group” in 1959, the location of Tyler’s Joan of Arc at Orleans was not known until an auction house near New York City fortunately notified Bucks County Community College in 2024 that it was part of a family's collection they represented. On behalf of the Tyler family’s generosity, the college’s Foundation acquired the sculpture which now joins the many Stella Elkins Tyler works in the BCCC Art Collection. This is the first time Joan of Arc at New Orleans has been exhibited with patina since 1959.

The Art of Floristry at Bucks County Community College

The BCCC Floral Design program, which offers both certificate and degree options, provides students with hands-on experience and a solid foundation in the art of floristry. As an Educational Partner with the AIFD, the program equips students with the skills necessary to pursue careers in event design, floral retail, and more. Students have the opportunity to become a Certified Floral Designer (CFD) by completing the comprehensive curriculum. For more information, visit www.bucks.edu/floraldesign.