This Week at Phipps: Oct. 26 – Nov. 1

By Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

There's always something new to see and do at Phipps! This weekly blog post provides a run-down of the latest happenings so you can plan your visit. Events listed below require no advance registration unless noted otherwise. 

Open Daily: 

• LAST CHANCE: Fall Flower Show: Alice's Adventures in Autumn
  Our Alice in Wonderland-themed displays are here to stay through the fall! Opening Sat., Oct. 10, Fall Flower Show: Alice’s Adventures in Autumn combines the whimsy of Lewis Carroll’s story with stunning chrysanthemums — and a few spooky surprises! Find your favorite characters amongst expertly grown chrysanthemums in an endless variety of shapes, colors and sizes. Phipps has been creating chrysanthemum-themed seasonal shows since 1894, making its Fall Flower Show the longest-running in the nation and a Pittsburgh tradition that you can't experience anywhere else! 
• Garden Railroad: Fairies and Gnomes
  Garden Railroad: Fairies and Gnomes will feature a fantastic forest of gnome and fairy realms, with dragonflies hovering above! Guests can watch these miniature fantasy characters hard at work in their villages while trains pass through the lush greenery. Full-size trees and playful figures of snails, beetles, birds, squirrels and other woodland creatures will complete the enchanted experience. Prepare to be fascinated!  
• Tropical Forest Panama: Bridge to Biodiversity
  Embark on a spectacular journey through the lush vegetation and vibrant culture of Panama, the incredibly biodiverse land bridge connecting North and South America, in our immersive new Tropical Forest Conservatory exhibit
• Pennsylvania Fungi and Their Natural Habitat
  Now open at Phipps' Garden Center in Mellon Park, nature lovers of all ages can enjoy stunning illustrations of fungi species in diverse habitats. Pennsylvania is home to thousands of fungi species, thriving in diverse habitats ranging from mature hardwood forests to urban mulch, particularly in spring and fall. Fungi are a distinct kingdom of eukaryotic organisms—separate from plants and animals—that are essential for breaking down organic matter and recycling nutrients in ecosystems.
• Planets Earth Virtual Exhibit
  A dynamic exhibit at the Center for Sustainable Landscapes (and now online) addresses the pressing environmental issues of our time and proposes a new way of thinking about how to solve them.

Wed., Oct. 28: 

• Trees and Shrubs: An Integrative Approach to Stewardship | 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
  Trees are among the largest and longest-lived terrestrial organisms and are a critical component of life in southwestern PA. In this class, we will explore these remarkable organisms utilizing an integrative lifecycle approach, with topics ranging from soil, roots, shoots, and seeds to body language, biogeography, common problems and management. From seed to dead wood, learn how to recognize, steward and coexist with trees across our landscapes.

Thurs., Oct. 29:

• Orchid Class: Cattleya Alliance | 6 – 7:30 p.m.
  Join Phipps' Orchid Display Horticulturist, Thathmini Kularatna, to learn all about Cattleyas orchids and their related genera! From plant identification and flower types, to potting methods and best care tips, Thathmini will guide participants through how to grow and maintain these fascinating flowers!

Fri., Oct. 30: 

• Phipps After Dark: House of Haunts | 7 – 10 p.m.
  Join us for a glowing gathering under glass to get right into the Halloween spirit! Guests are encouraged to come in costume (Alice-in-Wonderland-inspired is encouraged!), grab a drink and use our gardens as a gorgeous botanical backdrop as they enjoy exciting activities. Phipps is absolutely magical as dawn turns to dusk, and tonight it transforms to a thrilling house of haunts. 
   

Photos  © Paul g. Wiegman