I will be the gladdest thing
Under the sun!
I will touch a hundred flowers
And not pick one.
— from “Afternoon on a Hill” by Edna St. Vincent Millay (1892-1950) As part of Walk About New York’s Greenwich Village Walking Tour guests will see the house where Edna St. Vincent Millay lived.
After the brutally cold and snowy winter New York City passed through this year, New Yorkers are ready for 100 flowers. There are many more than 100 flowers at Macy’s Flower Show. This year the show is in full bloom from March 27th to April 10th at its Herald Square location.
Macy’s Flower Show promoted itself with an in-house LED advertisement.
When entering the Macy’s from its Broadway doors, visitors are greeted by a mannequin covered in a dramatic “dress” of roses, anthuriums, gerbera daisy and varieties of red flowers.
Who’s that Lady in red at Macy’s Flower Show?
Who’s that Lady in red at Macy’s Flower Show?
Detail of the flowers making up the “dress” of the Lady in Red at Macy’s Flower Show.
Detail of the flowers making up the “dress” of the Lady in Red at Macy’s Flower Show.
Who’s that Lady in red at Macy’s Flower Show?
Who’s that Lady in red at Macy’s Flower Show?
Who’s that Lady in red at Macy’s Flower Show?
Macy’s Flower Show began in 1946 in San Francisco originally as a festival of fragrances. Since that time Macy’s Union Square store in San Francisco has held the Flower Show. It is in its 65th year.
At its New York flagship Herald Square store, Macy’s Flower Show premiered in 1953. The show displayed fresh floral bouquets throughout the store. Sadly, the show was canceled in 1966 because maintaining cut flowers was costly and time consuming. On the Five Squares and a Circle Tour guests will see Macy’s Herald Square flagship store.
An arbor and planters could be found on the mezzanine level at Macy’s Flower Show.
An arbor and planters could be found on the mezzanine level at Macy’s Flower Show.
In 1974 the Flower Show returned to Herald Square with a change that is still in place today. Potted flowers and plants replaced the fresh cut flowers. With this arrangement the flowers and plants stay in fresh longer and are less expensive than cut flowers.
In 1980 themed specialty gardens were introduced; they included the Orchid Garden and the East Asian Garden. This year’s theme, The Secret Garden, is full of hidden gems. Visitors will want to plant themselves here for hours to take in the 30,000-plus flowers on the main floor and the Mezzanine.
Bouquet of the Day by Jes Gordon.
Bouquet of the Day by Jes Gordon.
The show features a Bouquet of the Day. The afternoon that I visited Jes Gordon had designed this spectacular flower arrangement.
The Flower Show is free and open during regular store hours, with plenty to please both your eyes and your nose, provided you are not allergic to flowers!
A flowering at Macy’s Flower Show.
Looking up at the flower and plant displays at Macy’s Flower Show.
Looking up at the flower and plant displays at Macy’s Flower Show.
Looking up at the flower and plant displays at Macy’s Flower Show.
Looking down on the main floor and the flowers at Macy’s Flower Show.
Orchids and handbags at Macy’s Flower Show.
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