Who We Are
For 200 years, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) has connected people and plants together to create healthy, beautiful, and joyful communities.
Our Story
Founded in Philadelphia in 1827, PHS began as a group of people united by a shared passion for plants and horticulture.
Over two centuries, PHS has grown from a small group of horticultural enthusiasts into a diverse and expanding community of gardeners, neighbors, volunteers, and partners. Together, we’re putting gardening to work to create healthier, more beautiful places, bring joy, and strengthen connections.
Through it all, our shared passion for plants has remained constant, while our understanding of what gardening can make possible has continued to grow.
Our Vision
Plenty of organizations grow plants. PHS grows what happens next.
People need nature, and people need one another. Through gardening, PHS creates opportunities to experience beauty and wonder, build knowledge and confidence, connect with others, and take part in improving the places we share. We believe that small gardening acts; from planting a tree or growing food to learning a new skill or tending a neighborhood garden can become collective impact to help transform ourselves and communities.
We call this Gardening for the Greater Good, and it inspires us to show others what gardening makes possible in their lives. When people connect with PHS, their individual efforts become part of something bigger, amplifying the impact of gardening across our region and beyond. We envision a future where every person, every place, gardens for the greater good alongside us.
See the Impact of Our Work
Every year, gardening makes a difference in the lives of people and communities across our region.
Explore our latest Annual Report for the stories, milestones, and results behind that impact.
PHS Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Statement
Gardening for the greater good means creating opportunities for everyone to participate, contribute, and belong. PHS is committed to building a welcoming and inclusive community and working alongside people of different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives to advance our mission.
The PHS DEI Statement was developed and defined by the PHS DEI Working Group and approved by the President of PHS in the fourth quarter of 2019.
The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society believes that gardening and horticulture belong to everyone. We work in partnership with community members to promote the benefits of gardening and connect people in our region with gardening-related experiences in their neighborhoods and across the region. We welcome everyone to partner with us and together create beautiful, healthy, and sustainable communities.
We acknowledge that there are oppressive systems at work within our communities. We use gardening, horticulture, and job training as tools to break down barriers to equity. PHS does not tolerate any form of harassment, discrimination, or oppression. We welcome thoughtful dialogue and criticism in our effort to use horticulture to effect social change.
We dedicate ourselves to sustaining and promoting diversity in recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, training, provision of compensation and benefits, management of organizational activities and general treatment during employment.
PHS actively works to create a community of staff, volunteers, board members, and vendors that reflects the city of Philadelphia.
We recognize that it takes the dedicated effort of many hands to create meaningful change. At PHS, we commit to seeking out the expertise of community members in the neighborhoods that we work in when engaging new projects and evaluating existing work. When consulting with community members on projects, we commit to accommodating their needs, integrating their insights into decision-making, and highlighting their contributions.
At PHS, we work to create an environment where all voices are respected and heard. We provide training, mentoring, and resources to create a workplace where staff feel welcome and appreciated. Reaching true equity in our communities requires ongoing effort, and in this regard, as an organization we commit to evolution and growth.
Financial Statements
PHS takes pride in responsibly managing the resources entrusted to us by our members, donors, partners, and community. Explore our financial statements to learn more about our impact, operations, and financial health.
