This Week at Phipps: Dec. 9 – 15

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: 

• Phipps Holiday Magic
  With a whimsical theme of “Enchantment”, guests are sure to be captivated by a forest of fantasy. Phipps has pulled out all the stops for this year's Winter Flower Show with magnificent new displays featuring mystical creatures, gorgeous holiday trees and our signature floral delights, including amaryllis, orchids and 21 varieties of poinsettias. Plus, the beauty isn't just indoors: our celebrated Winter Light Garden fills our outdoor spaces with spectacular lights in vivid shades that will awe guests of all ages.
• Garden Railroad: Movie Magic
  Garden Railroad: Movie Magic will allow guests to explore a bustling movie lot home to genres like fantasy, western, science fiction, horror and action with whimsical and interactive aspects! With an abundance of fascinating features surrounded by a beautiful plant palette, our Garden Railroad is sure to bring Hollywood magic to the glasshouse.
• Highlands Flora Project: Fraged Plants of Southwestern Pennsylvania 
  Now open in Phipps' Garden Center, plant lovers of all ages can enjoy stunning illustrations of foraged plants commonly found in southwestern Pennsylvania. Foraged Plants of Southwestern Pennsylvania is part of the Flora Project, a collaboration between Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens’ Botanical Art and Illustration Program and the Allegheny Highlands Botanical Art Society.
• 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. 
• 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.

Mon., Dec. 9:

• Magic Meets Music: Live Performance Nights | 6 – 8 p.m.
  On select weeknights during Phipps Holiday Magic, live musical entertainment lends a new dimension of splendor to your festive visit. From jazz and strings to carolers, there are tuneful treats for everyone to enjoy this year. All performances are included with admission and designed to be encountered as you move through the Conservatory.

Tues., Dec. 10: 

• Herbal Medicine Making: Refreshing Soaks | 6 – 8 p.m.
  Dive into creating relaxing soaks in this class as Michelle walks you through instructions and herbs. There are so many amazing benefits to soaks and more ways to soak than you may think! This class will be a treat! This session focuses on sweet smelling herbs like eucalyptus and rose.

Wed., Dec. 11: 

• 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., Dec. 12:

• Baking for the Holidays: Savory Baked Goods | 6 – 7:30 p.m.
  Brighten your holidays with more baking! Join Dina Ranade for a bake-a-long evening, where we will be using pastry techniques that look harder than they actually are and will decorate your holiday tables with elegance. Our project is a pastry plait encasing a spinach, mushroom and onion filling, a great vegetarian alternative to a Wellington. We will bake savory scones that offer inclusion options to fit your own favorite holiday flavors.

Photos © Paul g. Wiegman