Phipps Conservatory Orchids Win National Awards at DC Event
For Immediate Release: Tues., Feb. 10
Contact: Joe Reed | Director of Marketing and Communications
412-622-6915, ext. 3801 | jreed@phipps.conservatory.org
Phipps Conservatory Orchids Win National Awards at DC Event
Phipps Orchid Collection Awarded Across Several Categories
Washington, DC – On Jan. 31, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens was honored at the National Capital Orchid Society’s 46th Annual Paphiopedilum Forum with accolades across various categories. One of the oldest annual events in the United States devoted entirely to slipper orchids, the Forum is an official judging event of the American Orchid Society, a globally recognized, prestigious honor granted to superior quality orchids, exhibitors, and conservationists, signifying excellence in breeding, culture, and research.
Phipps’ renowned Barbara Tisherman Slipper Orchid Collection, curated in collaboration with Orchid Society of Western Pennsylvania, is one of the most definitive of its kind. Twelve plants from the collection were displayed for judging. As a result, Phipps was awarded three first place awards, four second place awards and one third place award along with a blue ribbon for best antique hybrid and a special ribbon for best plant culture. During the event, Horticultural Collections Manager Giovanny Giraldo and Orchid Display Horticulturist Thathmini Kularatna had the chance to meet with prominent slipper orchid growers in North America while highlighting the Barbara Tisherman Slipper Orchid Collection at Phipps.
In addition, Phipps’ Paphiopedilum Happy Landing ‘Regency’ x Hiro Mystery ‘Spotter’ won a Certificate of Cultural Merit (CCM) from the American Orchid Society. This award recognizes superior orchid cultivation, awarded to the grower (exhibitor) rather than just the plant itself. The awarded plant must be of robust health and possess an appearance with an unusually large number of flowers.
Orchid and Tropical Bonsai Show: Blooming with Love runs through March 15, and visitors can see the winning orchids on display in the Conservatory’s Sunken Garden. Phipps hours are 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturdays – Thursdays, and 9:30 a.m. – 10 p.m. on Fridays. Member and nonmember tickets must be reserved in advance and masks are required for all guests ages 2 and up. For more information and to reserve tickets, visit phipps.conservatory.org/Tickets.
Paphiopedilum Happy Landing Regency x Hiro Mystery ‘Spotter’ – 1st place and best plant culture
Paphiopedilum Waikato Gold – 2nd place
Paphiopedilum Cappamagna – 1st place and blue ribbon
Paphiopedilum Leeanum – 1st place and Phragmipedium Soccerers Apprentice ‘Mickey' – 2nd place
Paphiopedilum Pyramus – 2nd place and Phragmipedium Lemoinierianum – 2nd place
Phragmipedium Belle Watling – 3rd place
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About Phipps: Founded in 1893, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in Pittsburgh, PA is a globally recognized green leader with a mission to inspire and educate all with the beauty and importance of plants; to advance sustainability and promote human and environmental well-being through action and research; and to celebrate its historic glasshouse. Encompassing 15 acres including a historic 14-room glasshouse, 23 distinct indoor and outdoor gardens and industry-leading sustainable architecture and operations, Phipps attracts more than half a million visitors annually from around the world. Learn more at phipps.conservatory.org.
Watch TEDx: What We Can Learn From an Old Glasshouse: A look at the evolving way we connect people to nature at Phipps, demonstrate how human and environmental health are inextricably connected, and show that to age gracefully, we must continually reinvent ourselves to evolve with the rest of the world.
Photo © Paul g. Wiegman
