This Week at Phipps: Oct. 27 – Nov. 2

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: 

• COMING SOON: Phipps Holiday Magic 
  This year’s playful theme, “Wild Winter,” invites you into a wonderland of whimsical topiary wildlife and enchanting scenes at every turn. Step inside and prepare to be dazzled by breathtaking new displays, brilliant décor and our signature floral masterpieces. From vibrant amaryllis and delicate orchids to a spectacular showcase of poinsettias, every bloom is a burst of seasonal joy. And the magic doesn’t stop at there! Outside, our beloved Winter Light Garden transforms the night with radiant displays in vivid, glowing hues — a dazzling spectacle sure to delight guests of every age.
• 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
• Growing Community Through Food
  Open now in Phipps' Edible Garden, Growing Community Through Food celebrates six of our dedicated and resourceful neighbors working in large and small ways across our region to ensure that everyone can enjoy fresh, affordable (and tasty!) food.
• 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.

Tues., Oct. 28:

• Healthy Harvest: Risotto Revolution: Pumpkin Barley Risotto with Toasted Walnuts, Drunken Cranberries and Fried Sage | 6 – 7:30 p.m.
  Join Chef Emily Larsen on Zoom for this three-part virtual series that will transform your end of the season harvests into delicious and innovative gourmet dishes. Have a healing encounter with the vegetables that may have given your inner child the ick, learn about old indigenous agricultural practices and take a fresh look at pumpkin by skipping the spice and keeping it savory. On the menu for this session, we have risotto revolution: pumpkin barley risotto with toasted walnuts, drunken cranberries and fried sage.

Wed., Oct. 22: 

• 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.

Thurs., Oct. 30:

• Indian Cuisine: Diwali Celebration | 6 – 8 p.m.
  Join Chef Jayashree Iyengar of Popping Mustard Seeds for this three-part series and learn to make Indian cuisine from scratch! Chef Jayashree, originally from southeast India, will share not just culinary expertise but also the cultural significance of the ingredients used in each dish. Grow your culinary repitoire with these flavorful dishes! Celebrate Diwali, the Indian Festival of Lights, as we prepare festive dishes such as crispy corn fritters known as vada paired with a vibrant tomato chutney. We’ll also highlight gourd season with a comforting sweet pumpkin sambar rice.

 

Photos  © Paul g. Wiegman