This Week at Phipps: Oct. 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: 

• 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.

Mon., Oct. 7:

• Using Your Camera as a Garden Design Tool | 6:30 – 8 p.m.
  You see your garden every day, but do you really see it? Do you have areas that don’t work and you don’t know why? See your garden through a photographer’s eyes and apply simple formulas that will change the way you view your garden and give you insight on planting and design. A former student described the class saying, “... the simple act of bringing the camera to my eyes and looking through the frame brought so much clarity. I had been thinking about what to plant. Suddenly, I was thinking about what I saw.” 

Tues., Oct. 8: 

• Ecology and the Designed Landscape | 7 – 9 p.m.
  The fields of ecology and landscape architecture grew up together in the late 19th century. Their close alliance was nearly lost in the mid-20th century but has since been rediscovered as interest in ecological landscape design and sustainability has grown. Students in this course will explore the basics of plant ecology and the plant communities of western Pennsylvania and then learn to apply these ideas to the designed landscape.

Wed., Oct. 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.

Thurs., Oct. 10:

• Green Thumb Get Together | 5 – 7 p.m.
  Explore Phipps adult education programs and enjoy live demos on topics like bonsai and orchid care, floral design, botanical art and more. Plus, stop to get a drink at our cash bar and peruse our curated selection of spring flower bulbs, house plants, and gardening books.

Fri., Oct. 11: 

• Botanical Beverages | 6 – 7:30 p.m.
  Grab a partner and join Drew Cranisky and Hanna Mosca for a Halloween edition of their virtual, hands-on cocktail workshop. Learn how to create three different drink recipes that are tasty, simple to make and provide a nice variety of seasonal flavors. Drew will teach us how to make the perfect beverage while Hanna highlights the botanical properties of the fruits, vegetables and herbs used.
• Phipps After Dark: House of Haunts | 7 – 10 p.m.
  Join us for a haunted evening celebration as Phipps illuminates the night sky! Guests are encouraged to come in costume, grab a drink at Café Phipps and join us to enjoy a fun photo-booth, a live DJ and spooky entertainment!

Sat., Oct. 12:

• Spooky Ceme-terrarium | 1 – 2:30 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! 

Photos © Paul g. Wiegman