Children's Garden wins four awards at Flower Show

The Camden Children's Garden took home four awards - the most in its history - this year in the group's 17th appearance at the Philadelphia Flower Show.

Mike Devlin, Executive Director of the waterfront-based attraction which was threatened with eviction last year, said the wins "made for a true comeback story."

The 400-square-foot exhibit consists of a vegetable and flower garden surrounded by picket fences, individually painted by children in schools, churches and community centers around Camden. The garden also features repurposed tires, an old engine block and a rusted bike painted in bright colors.

The group won the American Horitcultural Society Education Award, the Alfred M. Campbell Memorial Trophey for Major Educational Exhibit award, the Garden Club Federation of Pennsylvania Special Achievement Award and the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Special Achievement award.

Friday Devlin proudly pointed out the silver plates and ribbons now sitting at the front of the exhibit at the first night of the show.

"It's great to be recognized for something the whole community worked on and it's one of the most interactive exhibits here," he said.

The flower show runs through March 9 and the Children's Garden opens for the season March 29.

- Julia Terruso