This Week at Phipps: April 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: 

• Spring Flower Show: A Bloom for Every Room
  Soak up vivid colors and delightful fragrance! Each room is dedicated to a different signature spring bloom in this year's edition of Phipps' Spring Flower Show.
• 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
• Ikebana International Exhibit
  ​In this recurring exhibit in our Welcome Center Gallery, view gorgeous floral displays courtesy of the Ikebana International Pittsburgh Chapter.
• 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.

Wed., April 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.
• Cooking for One | 5 – 7 p.m. 
  In this virtual cooking class, Chef Emily Larsen will walk you through 3 diverse dishes that can be created in a single serving size from the same small shopping list. On the menu is a spicy stir fry, Greek baked chicken, and one pan pasta. Join us from the comfort of your own kitchen and learn to cook for one with ease and creativity. This class is vegetarian, vegan friendly and gluten free adaptable.
• Nature Talks: Inspiring Ideas and Community Conversations | 7 – 8 p.m.
  Deer are one of the only large wild animals that most Americans see in our daily lives. They’re our neighbors that bring both delight and irritation. The story of deer in their habitats and in our human spaces is very complex, and so is the quest to manage their numbers. How did we get here? In this talk, speaker Erika Howsare will explore the many facets of deer, particularly the history of their changing populations in the U.S.

Fri., April 11:

• Spring Tulip Night at Phipps | 5 – 10 p.m.
  Looking for Friday night fun? You're in luck! On Fri., April 11, Spring Tulip Night at Phipps invites guests to view the new Spring Flower Show: A Bloom for Every Room as the historic glasshouse is illuminated in floral purple and orange and tour the new Tropical Forest Panama exhibit. The fun doesn't stop there! The first 300 guests to arrive at 5 p.m. or later can receive a complimentary potted tulip plant by inquiring at our admissions desk. Plus, you can strike a pose at our photobooth to commemorate this evening of fun, and a cash bar will be open with refreshments for purchase!

Sat., April 12:

• Tropical Forest Panama Festival | 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
  Join us for a full day of exciting activities for all ages at our first festival to celebrate the Tropical Forest Panama exhibit. Festivities include entertainment, activities and more inspired by the one-of-a-kind place where people, plants and animals comprise a thriving ecosystem that constitutes one of the wildest places on Earth.

Sun., April 13:

• Sensory Inclusive Time | 9  – 10:30 a.m.
  In collaboration with the Autism Connection of Pennsylvania, join our team on Sun., April 13 for a self-guided visit to the Conservatory to enjoy Spring Flower Show: A Bloom for Every Room. To ensure a peaceful walk through the Conservatory, lights and sounds will be minimized. Participants will receive a social story via email detailing the experience prior to arrival.

Photos © Paul Vladuchick