This Week at Phipps: Aug. 15 – 21

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: 

• Tropical Forest Hawai‘i: Aloha ‘Aina
  Tropical Forest Hawai‘i: Aloha ‘Aina invites guests to take an exciting, immersive journey through the rich history, nature and culture of the Hawaiian archipelago. 
• Summer Flower Show: Monet in Bloom 
  In this spectacular new show, our summer displays will give three-dimensional life to Monet's breathtaking scenes of delicate flora and dreamlike design — beloved works that have stood the test of time for 100 years. 
• Butterfly Forest
  Butterfly Forest awes visitors with an up-close look of some of nature's most prized pollinators alongside the blossoming flowers that feed them.
• Member Appreciation Month
  Here at Phipps, the support of our members makes so much possible. Throughout the month of August, we're celebrating membership with the following special offers! 
• From the Same Bulb: 2005 – 2022, an Exhibit by Sue Abramson
  From the Same Bulb focuses on Sue Abramson's photographic work with the elephant ear (Colocasia esculenta) over the span of 17 years. 
• 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.

Tues., Aug. 16: 

• Drawing Birds in Spring/Summer Habitat: Water-Fowl of Pennsylvania | 6 – 9 p.m. 
  Study the habitats of native Pennsylvania water fowl during the spring and summer months and to create a final botanical drawing including the bird and its environment.

• Fermentation Frenzy: Tropical Bubbly Beverages | 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
  This class will guide you through making easy, delicious sodas using wild fermentation and tibicos (water kefir). We will touch on tepache (a Mexican pineapple drink), ginger beer, and other tropical flavors! 

Wed., Aug. 17:  

• ​In-Person Story Time | 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.
  Kids will love visiting Phipps to listen to our storyteller weave tales about gardens, fruits, vegetables, animals and other fun topics. Attend weekly sessions with a special child in your life!

Thurs., Aug. 18:

• Plant Forward Gourmet | 6 – 7:30 p.m. 
  We will go over all kinds of meals, from a picnic in the park to a backyard BBQ to a gourmet meal to a weeknight family dinner at home.

Fri., Aug. 19: 

• Member Bring-a-Friend Days | 9:30 a.m. – 10 p.m. 
  Each member will recieve free admission for one guest. Just reserve one free member ticket for yourself and bring your friend along.
• Virtual Environmental Film Series: August Screening: High Tide Don't Hide  | 7 p.m. 
  Determined to provoke real action, New Zealand teenagers nationwide join the global School Strike for Climate.

Sat., Aug. 20:

• Plant ID Walk: Vines and Groundcovers for Hillsides | 10 a.m. – noon
  On each Saturday walk, landscape architecture instructor and plantsman Joshua Beblo will introduce you to dozens of plants in the landscape. 

Photo © Paul g. Wiegman