This Week at Phipps: March 2 – 8

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: 

• 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
• 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.

Wed., March 4: 

• 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.
• Early Spring Greens: What to Grow and How to Grow it | 6:30 –  8 p.m.
  Ever wonder what to grow during the cool weather months? In this class, you’ll learn best techiques on how to grow a successful early spring harvest of leafy greens—like lettuce, spinach and kale—to jump-start your garden!
• Living with Flowers: Floral Design at Home| Winter Wellness Series | 7 –  8:15 p.m.
  Have you ever purchased a gorgeous bouquet of flowers and felt unsure on how to arrange them once you brought them home? Join instructor Polly Berginc for a casual and informative weekly design session learning a variety of design tips to develop your skills for pleasing results. Information will be sent out prior to each class for easily accessible materials being demonstrated in the upcoming class if you wish to purchase them and design along during class. 

• Garden Railroad Farewell Party | 5:30 – 7 p.m.
  Choo-choo! All aboard the last trip for our Garden Railroad: The Age of Dinosaurs! We're saying "farewell till fall" to our beloved miniature world of trains and landscapes by throwing a family-friendly celebration. Kids can look forward to exciting and educational activity stations, a photo opportunity and more! They'll also receive a train ticket that will include a scavenger hunt to help you chug along in the Conservatory.

Sat., March 7:

• A Celebration of Seeds: Fourteenth Annual Seed Swap | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
  For 14 years, Phipps Conservatory, Grow Pittsburgh and Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh have hosted seed swaps to help gardeners get the seeds you need to start the season off right. Bring your untreated, non-GMO seeds to share or just pick up seeds donated by local gardeners and seed companies! Any guest bringing seeds will be eligible to enter a raffle of fun gifts from Phipps and Grow Pittsburgh.

Sun., March 8:

• Rooted in Presence: A Mindfulness Meditation Series | Guided Meditation 10 – 11 a.m.; Self-Guided 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
  Start your Sunday with intention and peace at Phipps' Rooted in Presence: A Mindfulness Meditation Series! Guests of all skill levels are invited to reconnect with breath, body and the living beauty around them. Whether you’re looking to deepen your meditation practice through a guided session or simply find a quiet moment to yourself, this series blends mindful practice with the restorative power of nature.

 

Photos  © Paul g. Wiegman