This Week at Phipps: Oct. 14 – 20

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: 

• NOW OPEN: Fall Flower Show: Rhythm and Blooms
  Phipps’ Fall Flower Show: Rhythm and Blooms celebrates an array of musical genres accompanied by countless chrysanthemums in marvelous shapes, sizes and colors. Each room is inspired by a different genre of music, from rock and roll to classical, jazz, hip hop and more! 
• NOW OPEN: Garden Railroad: Movie Magic 
  Garden Railroad: Movie Magic will allow guests to explore a bustling movie lot home to genres like fantasy, western, science fiction, horror and action with whimsical and interactive aspects! With an abundance of fascinating features surrounded by a beautiful plant palette, our Garden Railroad is sure to bring Hollywood magic to the glasshouse.
• Ikebana International Exhibit
  In this recurring exhibit in our Welcome Center Gallery, view gorgeous floral displays courtesy of the Ikebana International Pittsburgh Chapter. 
• Highlands Flora Project: Fraged Plants of Southwestern Pennsylvania 
  Now open in Phipps' Garden Center, plant lovers of all ages can enjoy stunning illustrations of foraged plants commonly found in southwestern Pennsylvania. Foraged Plants of Southwestern Pennsylvania is part of the Flora Project, a collaboration between Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens’ Botanical Art and Illustration Program and the Allegheny Highlands Botanical Art Society.
• Tropical Forest Hawai‘i: Aloha ‘Aina
  Tropical Forest Hawai‘i: Aloha ‘Aina invites guests to take an exciting, immersive journey through the rich history, nature and culture of the Hawaiian archipelago. 
• 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., Oct. 15: 

• Making Salads the Main Course Series: White Bean and Fennel 4 Ways | 6 – 8 p.m.
  Experience the joy of turning a simple ingredient into a luxurious meal. Broil, confit, pickle and shave the fennel. Candy lemon slices. Make a stunning citrus dressing and learn how to coax the most flavor out of white beans. Gruyere Black Pepper Popovers accompany the salad.
• Herbs from the Witch's Garden | 6 – 7:30 p.m.
  Did witches exist? Did they really fly through the air on broomsticks? Did herbs have something to do with this? And can you use herbs to cast a few spells? All these important questions will be answered in this mystical, magical class. 

Wed., Oct. 16: 

• 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.
• Chrysanthemums and Classical | 5:15, 6:20 and 7:25 p.m.
  Join Phipps Conservatory and Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra for a magical musical performance in Pittsburgh's green oasis! One-night-only, listen as local musicians play classical chords among a dreamy display of fall blooms. The music doesn't stop there! Tickets include Conservatory admission, so guests can explore the Conservatory for a sneak peek at some of the colorful chrysanthemums, autumnal displays and more of Phipps’ Fall Flower Show: Rhythm and Blooms. 

Thurs., Oct. 17:

• Spooky Ceme-terrarium | 6 – 7:30 p.m.
  Join us in creating your own little terrifying terrarium! Natalie from Phipps horticulture crew will walk you through creating your own personal miniature cemetery in a terrarium (or "cemeterrarium" for short) right in time for Halloween! All supplies and props are included but if you have any special items you would like to include, feel free to bring them! 

Sat., Oct. 19:

• Migratory Bird Walk | 8 – 9:30 a.m.
  It's that time of year again - birds are flying south for the winter! Migratory birds spend incredible amounts of energy traveling long distances for their seasonal migrations. Learn more about the how and why birds travel thousands of miles just to make the same trip again a few months later. 
• Botanical Drawig II: Volume, Texture and Details | 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
  Continue to develop your observation and drawing skills to accurately render leaves, stems, roots and flowers in varying positions, capturing details and textures unique to the botanical subject.
• Mushrooms After Dark | 9 – 11 p.m.
  Discover the enchanting world of bioluminescent fungi as we explore the forest under the glow of UV light. This unique nighttime adventure will guide you through the woods, where you’ll witness mushrooms and other fungi glowing in vibrant colors, revealing a hidden side of nature.

Photos © Paul g. Wiegman