This Week at Phipps: Jan. 5 – 11

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: 

• COMING SOON: Orchid and Tropical Bonsai Show: Blooming with Love
  The beautiful gardens of Phipps provide the perfect warm escape from Pittsburgh's winter chill! You’ll be captivated by romantic displays in this year’s Orchid and Tropical Bonsai Show: Blooming with Love. Gorgeous displays featuring an array of beautiful orchids and fascinating bonsai fill the glasshouse. Join us to celebrate love while immersing yourself in ephemeral and entrancing nature. You’re sure to leave with your heart feeling warm!
• Garden Railroad: The Age of Dinosaurs
  Garden Railroad: The Age of Dinosaurs will highlight each distinct period of the Mesozoic Era. Guests can watch a group of dinosaurs moving through greenery while listening to the powerful sound of a dinosaur roar! In addition to these features, the plant evolution through the different time periods will be on display, from ferns, cycads and conifers to the first flowering plants. Each prehistoric period will have its own train to follow along so you can learn about their unique characteristics. 
• 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
• COMING SOON: The Audacity of the Mundane: An Exhibition of Artwork by Charlee Brodsky
  In this collection of still-life photographs, artist Charlee Brodsky makes the ordinary extraordinary by carefully curating everyday and found objects to create a story with tension and intent. The artist pairs the photographs with clever, thought-provoking titles to enhance the narrative. 
• 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., Jan. 5:

• Botany for Gardeners | 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
  Why does a seed germinate or fail to germinate? Why are cut flowers collected early in the morning? What happens to plant tissues under attack by insects and fungi? Let's find out by taking a fascinating look at how plants grow! Topics will focus directly on botanical principles that relate to gardening: plants and their importance to man; stems, leaves and roots; factors affecting plant growth; reproduction; and fruits and flowers.

Tues., Jan. 6:

• Garden and Design Certificate Orientation | 6:30 – 7 p.m.
  Join us for a short online orientation to learn more about how to earn a certificate in either Ecological Gardening or Landscape and Garden Design. We will go over all of the required core classes and possibel electives in for completing a certificate. There will also be an opportunity for interested students to meet one-on-one after the orientation.
• Secret History of Plants: Phipps After Hours Tour | 6:30 – 8 p.m.
  With this interactive, sun-down tour of the Conservatory, Boaz will encourage you to think about plants in an entirely new way. Plants aren’t just the building blocks of our gardens – they’re the source of food, medicine, housing, clothing, culture and so much more! We’ll stroll through Phipps’ collection and discover how plant and human interactions have shaped our world in surprising ways.

Fri., Jan. 9:

• Festive Nights of Winter Lights | 5 – 10 p.m.
  To celebrate the success of Phipps Holiday Magic, we’re letting our Winter Light Garden shine for a few more nights of festive wonder. Drop in for a serene stroll among the luminous orbs, trees, towers and fountains of light in our Outdoor and Children’s Discovery Gardens.

Sat., Jan. 10:

• Festive Nights of Winter Lights | 5 – 10 p.m.
  To celebrate the success of Phipps Holiday Magic, we’re letting our Winter Light Garden shine for a few more nights of festive wonder. Drop in for a serene stroll among the luminous orbs, trees, towers and fountains of light in our Outdoor and Children’s Discovery Gardens.

Photos  © Paul Vladuchick