This Week at Phipps: July 7 – 13

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: Jungle Quest
  Open now through Sept. 21, Summer Flower Show: Jungle Quest invites you on an unforgettable exploration! This spectacular show features room after room of carefully crafted topiary animals, beautiful blooms,exciting interactive stations and so much more!
• Butterfly Forest
  Open now through Sept. 7, watch colorful butterflies break free of their chrysalises to soar and glide among beautiful Phipps blooms. One may even land on you!
• 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
• Bountiful Bouquets: A Youth Art Exhibit
  In this annual exhibit in our Welcome Center, view blossoms of the jungle crafted by Fairchild Challenge student participants.
• Metamorphosis: A Youth Sustainable Art and Fashion Exhibit
  Enjoy a sustainable gallery full of art created by the Pittsburgh Youth Leaders in Sustainability Network from Carnegie Mellon University’s Sustainability Initiative and Phipps' Youth Climate Advocacy Committee (YCAC) now in Phipps' Center for Sustainable Landscapes.
• Native Plants of Southwestern Pennsylvania and Their Bird Associates and Pollinators
  In Phipps' Garden Center, plant lovers of all ages can now enjoy stunning illustrations of native plants and their pollinators symbiotic relationships. 
• 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 9: 

• 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.
• Plant Based Summer Dining Series: Smokey BBQ Bean Burger with Sweet Potato Fries |  6 – 7:30 p.m.
  Join Chef Emily on Zoom to learn how to whip up vibrant and flavorful dishes that are both plant-based and gluten free friendly! Whether you're a seasoned chef or new to plant-based cuisine, Chef Emily will guide you through each recipe step by step. We'll start this series crafting a hearty, smokey-flavored bean burger paired with crispy sweet potato fries.

Thurs., July 10:

• Biophilia: Connecting to Nature When it’s Stinky, Slimy, Scaly and Squishy: The Most Lovable of the UnLoved! | 6 – 7 p.m.
  The wild world is full of scaly, squishy, slimy things that at first glance we might think are eerie and unnerving; but sometimes, we just need to see them in a new light. We all have a unique place in nature – so join Dr. Maria Wheeler-Dubas to explore some of the most lovable of our unloved neighbors in nature!
• Elevated Understory | 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
  This class integrates design and ecology to help you create attractive understory plantings. These could be under front yard trees or shrubs or any areas of woodland edges. Gain inspiration for your own gardens that will look wonderful and add an important aspect of supporting wildlife.

Fri., July 11:

• Begonia Night at Phipps | 5 – 10 p.m.
  Looking for Friday night fun? You're in luck! On Fri., July 11, Begonia Night at Phipps invites guests to view the new Summer Flower Show: Jungle Quest and tour the new Tropical Forest Panama exhibit as the historic glasshouse exterior is illuminated in a bright red hue. The fun doesn't stop there! The first 300 guests to arrive at 5 p.m. or later can receive complimentary potted Begonias; to take advantage of this special offer, join the line when you arrive and present your proof of purchase. Plus, a credit card only bar will be open from 5 – 7:30 p.m.

 

Photos © Paul Vladuchick