Phipps recommends:
Cornelian Cherry Dogwood

Featured

Highlighting healing botanicals, striking color combinations and rejuvenating water displays

Opening on May 5, 2012, Summer Flower Show: Fountains of Youth offers a chance for beauty-seekers of all ages to explore and discover the healing powers of plants as the soothing sights and sounds of fountains surrounded by bright blooms provide a welcome release from the summer heat.

Drawing on the legend of the Fountain of Youth, a natural pool said to invigorate those who drink of its waters, this year’s Summer Flower Show will give you an opportunity to unearth some of the real-life natural treasures—including aromatic herbs and spices, fresh fruits and vegetables, and green tea—that can help promote good health. Playful and refreshing fountains of many fun shapes and forms will also be on display for you to enjoy, while showy flowers such as zinnias, lantana, hibiscus, and other favorites arranged in striking color combinations complete each scene.

Among the many Summer Flower Show highlights are: fountains that flow with “red wine,” have fish, bubbling tube and other delightful shapes, and feature soft rain showers and powerful jets; grape arbors, fruit trees and berry patches; giant tea cup and floating leaf planters; and dramatic bursts of color. Butterfly Forest will also be open, enchanting guests of all ages as gorgeous species such as Monarchs and Zebra Longwings emerge from their chrysalises to flutter among the flowers.

Want to learn more about the important roles plants play in our lives? Follow this link to dig for more details about the incredible edibles featured in our displays. 

Summer Flower Show will be open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and until 10 p.m. on Fridays. Admission costs $12 for adults; $11 for seniors (age 62 and older) and students (with ID); and $9 for children (two-18). Members and children under two enter for free.

Summer Flower Show fountain designer: Karl Steinmetz, RLA, ASLA LEED AP



Other Featured Exhibits & Events

Summer Flower Show:
Glass in the Gardens
April 27 – Oct. 6, 2013
The dazzling glass creations of artists working in Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania will make our gardens shimmer and shine all summer long. Highlights include lifelike floral forms, whimsical long-legged birds, rotating stained-glass towers, and a large, articulated woolly mammoth skeleton.
Butterfly Forest
April 20 – Sept. 2, 2013
Like flowers that fly, our butterfly residents will enchant nature-lovers of every age. Watch as gorgeous species such as Monarchs and Zebra Longwings emerge from their chrysalises to flutter among cheerful, bug-friendly blooms.
Party in the Tropics
Select Fridays in 2013, starting Feb. 8
7 – 11 p.m.
Ages 21+
Gather your friends and get ready to dine, drink and dance the night away at Phipps! Make our paradise your own as you indulge in sweet and savory morsels, taste unique cocktails, and dance to the beats of a live DJ in our Tropical Forest Conservatory. Entry is free with Conservatory admission.
Butterfly Weekend
June 1 and 2, 2013
Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
In celebration of one of nature’s most important pollinators, Phipps and Carnegie Science Center are hosting Butterfly Weekend on June 1 and June 2. This two-day celebration will give visitors a chance to learn about the life cycle of butterflies and discover why these amazing insects have a remarkable ability to navigate, orient and migrate.
Farmers at Phipps
Wednesdays, June – October 2013
2:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Refresh your food shopping experience! Visit our sustainably managed front lawn to browse organic and Certified Naturally Grown fruits, vegetables and more from local farms.
Inspire Speakers Series
Second Thurs. of every month, Oct. 2012-June 2013
5:30-8:30 p.m., except where noted
Green Building Alliance (GBA) and Phipps are collaborating to host a monthly speaker series at the new Center for Sustainable Landscapes (CSL) on our Oakland campus. Join us to enjoy captivating presentations from local and national experts  on the subject of healthy, high-performance green buildings. Registration with GBA is required.
Floral Notes: Jazz in the Garden
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
6:30 – 9 p.m.
Ages 21+
As the summer heats up, enjoy an evening of cool jazz surrounded by colorful flowers and lush plants. Relax in our Outdoor Garden with the live music of Pittsburgh’s own Elevations and Velvet Heat as you savor small bites and delicious drinks.
Garden Variety:
A Farm-to-Phipps Dinner
Sunday, July 21, 2013
6:30 – 9 p.m.
Enjoy a rustic yet elegant farm-to-table dinner experience with fresh, handpicked selections from our region’s farms. If you love a food adventure, you won’t want to miss this chance to join local growers and artisans for this one-of-a-kind meal.
Tropical Forest India
Now Open
Explore our new exhibit showcasing one of the most botanically rich regions of the world. Highlights include an Ayurvedic healing garden, spice and tea market displays, a stunning temple facade on Special Events Hall, and more!