This Week at Phipps: June 8 – 14

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.
• 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., June 9: 

• Pyrography: Conk Mushrooms | 6 – 9 p.m.
  Discover the art of pyrography—the ancient craft of creating designs with heat—applied to the organic, natural surface of polypore mushrooms. In this beginner-friendly class, you’ll explore the fundamentals of woodburning tools, techniques and safety as you learn how to create beautiful, textured designs on conk mushrooms foraged in southwestern PA.

Wed., June 10: 

• 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.
• Horticycling: Using Site Materials as a Gardening Design and Habitat Focused Inspiration | 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
  This class focuses on using existing debris, plant stems, logs, stones, concrete, bricks, and branches to create ecological habitats, garden points of interest, and building soil without removing materials from the site. Design and plant selection will be discussed but site prep with sustainability and economics of materials will be the core of this class.

Thurs., June 11:

• La Fleur at Phipps | 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
  On Thurs., June 11, Phipps Conservatory and Green Voice Sustainable Business and Lifestyle Collective are proud to present La Fleur — a one-of-a-kind event featuring music, art, fashion, culture and botany within Phipps' historic glasshouse. Enjoy a myriad of unique performances that will take place within iconic display rooms such as Palm Court, Broderie Room, South Conservatory and more.
• Summer Garden Sachets & Potpourri | 6 – 7:30 p.m.
  Celebrate the scents of summer by creating herbal sachets and potpourri using dried flowers and botanicals inspired by garden landscapes. Participants will explore fragrance, texture, and plant symbolism while learning how botanicals have traditionally been used to scent the home. This workshop offers a fresh, floral-forward approach distinct from winter-themed blends.

 

Photos  © Paul Vladuchick