Photo by Julia Hatmaker | jhatmaker@pennlive.com

Compiled by Julia Hatmaker | jhatmaker@pennlive.com

There's no denying spring is on the horizon when the Philadelphia Flower Show begins.

The annual gardening event, put on by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, provides visitors a chance to immerse themselves in a flowery paradise.

This year's theme is “Wonders of Water” and the show is going all in on it. Expect to see a 25-foot waterfall, fish pond, 3-foot-wide water lilies and a rain curtain.

But, before you head to the show, there's a few things you should know.

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Dates, Times and Location

The Philadelphia Flower Show will be held March 3-11 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center (12th and Arch streets, Philadelphia). Hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m, March 3, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. March 4, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. March 5-9, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. March 10 and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. March 11.

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Tickets

You can buy tickets in advance online at theflowershow.com for $29.95 for adults, $20 for students (ages 17-24) and $17 for children (ages 2-16).

Buying after March 2? Tickets sold online at theflowershow.com are $32 for a weekday and $35 for a weekend for adults; $22 for weekdays, $24 for weekends for students and $17 for children.

If you want to buy your ticket at the actual box office at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, ticket prices increase to $35 for weekdays, $40 weekends for adults; $24 weekdays, $26 weekends for students and $19 weekdays, $20 weekends for children.

Forgot to buy tickets online, but don't want to pay the full show price? You can get discounted tickets at SEPTA ticket offices. Learn more at septa.org/events/flower.html.

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Hotel packages

The Philadelphia Flower Show has a plethora of hotel packages available on its website. Many include special rates that also toss in tickets to the show. Of the hotels mentioned on the flower show site, the five that are closest to the show itself are:

Days Inn Philadelphia Convention Center (1227 Race St.)

Hampton Inn Philadelphia Convention Center (1301 Race St.)

Hilton Garden Inn Philadelphia Center City (1100 Arch St.)

Home2 Suites by Hilton Philadelphia (1200 Arch St.)

Loews Philadelphia Hotel (1200 Market St.)

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Parking

If you can avoid bringing your car into Philadelphia, you’ll be happier for it. But, if you can’t, the Flower Show has a few tips on where to keep it while you’re exploring the show.

You can use SpotHero to save up to 50 percent on parking near the Pennsylvania Convention Center, thanks to a deal with the Flower Show. Simply book your parking spot, in advance, by going to https://spothero.com/philadelphia/pennsylvania-convention-center-parking?referrer=PHILLYFLOWERS18

You can also get $5 parking at the Convention Center Parking Garage (1324 Arch St.) if you use this coupon from the Flower Show.

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Public Transit

The Pennsylvania Convention Center, and thus the Philadelphia Flower Show, is connected to SEPTA’s Jefferson Station in Philadelphia. Regional rail, buses, trolleys and the subway all stop at the station, so it’s a relatively easy ride. Jefferson Station is located on the Market-Frankford Line, as well as the Broad-Ridge Spur, if you’re taking SEPTA. Buses 17, 23, 33, 38, 44, 47, 47M, 48, 61 and 62 also stop at the station.

If you’re taking Amtrak into Philadelphia, simply get off at 30th St. Station and board any eastbound SEPTA rail train. Your Amtrak ticket will let you ride the rail for free on that trip.

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Camera Policies

You can bring your own camera and take photos for yourself, however you can’t bring a monopod or a tripod with you. You also can’t use the photos for commercial use.

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Where to eat

The Philadelphia Flower Show will have all sorts of vendors inside the show itself, but you may want to leave the convention center to see more of what Philadelphia has to offer. The show itself is just steps away from the Reading Terminal Market, which recently celebrated its 125th birthday. The market is filled with places to grab a bite to eat, whether you're craving peking duck, fancy corn dogs, vegan fare or donuts.

Chinatown is also nearby, so consider checking out some of the many restaurants there. Bring cash though, as many of the places there do not take card. Don’t worry too much though, there’s various ATMs close by and in several of the restaurants.

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Other food ideas...

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More on the Philadelphia Flower Show

The Philadelphia Flower Show's website, theflowershow.com, is a great resource for more information on the show and for buying tickets.

You can also check out this preview we did of the show earlier this year.

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This story has been updated to correct the times for the show.