This Week at Phipps: July 6 – 12

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: 

• Summer Flower Show: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
  Summer Flower Show: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland invites you to journey down the rabbit hole for an unforgettable adventure! With beloved story book scenes brought to life in each room, Phipps provides a wonderful experience for all. This fantastic show bursts with colorful interactive elements, topiary creatures, unique foliage and so much more. Prepared to be wowed by this extraordinary experience all summer long!  
• 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.
• Youth Eco-Action Showcase: A Youth Sustainable Art and Fashion Exhibit
  Explore Stunning Sustainable Artwork and Fashion by Young Environmentalists! Sustainable art and fashion are forms of creative expression intentionally constructed in ways that do not harm the environment. They often address topics like climate change, environmental concerns and social justice. Materials are recycled, salvaged, repurposed or sustainably produced, coming from local or nearby sources. Sustainable art and fashion aim to protect both the environment and the people who produce art materials or clothing.
• 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., July 8: 

• 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.
• Living with Flowers; Floral Design at Home - Summer Garden Series | 7 – 8:15 p.m.
  Join Polly for a casual and informative weekly design session learning a variety of design techniques to develop your skills in garden vase design for pleasing results. The Summer Garden Series will focus on including locally grown seasonal garden flowers, as well as exploring local foraging options to add to your vase design.You will learn foliage basing skills, vase design styles, color theory, proper flower care, and tips for extending the vase life of your summer garden blooms.

Fri., July 10:

• Wonderland Family Fun Night | 5 – 8 p.m.
   Families are invited to discover the magical world of Wonderland, explore bizarre botanicals, join a terrific tea party and more during Phipps' Wonderland Family Fun Night! Enjoy exciting features such as game stations, circus acts, pot-a-plant, spin art and more! 

Sat., July 11: 

• Needle Felted Cactuses | 9 a.m. – noon
  In this hands-on class participants will make and take home their very own sculptural cactus in a miniature terracotta pot. A truly zero-care-required houseplant. Needle felting is a dry felting technique employing specialized needles to entangle the wool fibers and create solid forms. It lends itself very well to organic sculptural forms and is a pleasant and forgiving medium, but please keep in mind that the needles are extremely sharp and the process requires repetitive hand movements.
• Hoppy Hour with Rabbit Wranglers | 10:30 a.m. - noon
  On select dates, guests can meet our friends from Rabbit Wranglers and say hello to several rescue rabbits in our lush Tropical Forest! Plus, while visiting these adorable furry friends, you'll have access to the stunning florals and showstopping topiaries featured in this year's Summer Flower Show: Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. 

 

Photos  © Paul g. Wiegman