This Week at Phipps Feb. 20 – 26

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: 

• Orchid and Tropical Bonsai Show: Origin Stories
  Orchid and Tropical Bonsai Show: Origin Stories is an experience filled with captivating displays of colorful orchids and exquisitely trained tropical bonsai specimens guide you through the origins of these fascinating plants.
•  BiblioBotany: The Work of Lisa Meek
  In our Welcome Center Gallery, Phipps is pleased to host the BiblioBotany sculptures of Lisa Meek who looks for symbolism in each page and flower she uses to encourage people to process ideas in new ways.
• Garden Railroad: Our National Parks
  Garden Railroad: Our National Parks pulls into the station with miniature recreations of the beautiful National Parks of the United States, bustling with chugging trains and filled with live plants.
• 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.

Tues., Feb. 21:

• Basic Floral Design: An Introduction to Western Geometric Arranging | 6:30 p.m. –  8:30 p.m.
  Many forms of floral arrangement are based on western geometric style. Use this as a solid foundation to learn design principles, flower conditioning and mechanical techniques
• Sustainable Landcare Accreditation Program | 6 p.m. –  9 p.m.
  These classes are designed to help landscapers build the skills they need to offer more environmentally-friendly services while taking care of their bottom line
• Developing Botanical Perspective to Create Depth | 6 p.m. –  9 p.m.
  Learn how to study and draw the various perspective techniques used to create depth. Use foreshortening, shadows and highlights to achieve a highly accurate and convincing botanical drawing, working with guided practice handouts, 2D photographs and 3D botanical specimens.

Wed., Feb. 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!
• Plant Based Meal Prep: Let's Get Nutty | 6 p.m. –  7:30 p.m.
  In this class, we embrace the “cook once, eat twice” philosophy that is meal prep. We will spend an hour and a half preparing breakfast, lunch, and dinner that can be stored and enjoyed for days. In this course learn to make Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Bars, Vegan Potato Salad, and Walnut Bolognese.
• Hardscape in Design | 6:30 p.m. –  8:30 p.m.
  Learn the basics of material selection, construction and drainage, as well as tips for completing simple DIY hardscape projects such as stone walkways and small retaining walls.
• Table Design | 6:30 p.m. –  8:30 p.m.
  In this class we will create a seasonal table arrangement focusing on later winter color palettes and floral choices for that time of year. When there are little to no flowers outside, we bring the flowers inside!
• Botanical Drawing I | 6 p.m. –  9 p.m.
  Learn to identify basic shapes in nature and use a step-by-step process to create the illusion of depth through light, shadow and perspective.

Thurs., Feb. 23: 

• Sustainable Landcare Accreditation Program | 6 p.m. –  9 p.m.
  These classes are designed to help landscapers build the skills they need to offer more environmentally-friendly services while taking care of their bottom line
• Herbal Liqueurs and Bitters | 7 p.m. –  8:30 p.m.
  Join us with folk herbalist Andrea to learn the best techniques to infuse dried herbs into a variety of liqueurs so that you can add a signature and distinct flavor to your drinks.

Fri., Feb. 24:

• Wonderful Wintery Beverages: Cocktails and Mocktails for Winter | 6 p.m. –  7:30 p.m
  Grab a partner and join Drew Cranisky and Hanna Mosca in this virtual, hands-on wintery cocktail workshop. Drew and Hanna will share with us more tasty seasonal drinks with flavors sure to warm you up.

Sat., Feb. 25:

• Plants for Winter Interest Walking Tour |  10 a.m. –  12 p.m.
  Landscape architecture instructor and passionate plantsman Joshua Beblo leads this walk and introduces you to nearly 20 plants that can be used in the garden to provide winter interest.
• Botanical Drawing II: Volume, Texture and Details | 6 p.m. –  9 p.m
  Continue to develop your observation and drawing skills to accurately render leaves, stems, roots and flowers in varying positions, capturing details and textures unique to the botanical subject
• Tropical Forest Hawai'i Festival
  Join us for a full day of exciting activities for all ages at our Tropical Forest Hawai‘i Festival, featuring entertainment, activities and more inspired by one of the world's most botanically and culturally rich forest regions.

Sun., Feb. 26:

• Reduction Block Printing with Botanical Imagery | 2 p.m. –  5 p.m.
  This course will take you through the process of creating a print using the reduction block printing method in which part of the plate is carved away then printed, more of the plate is carved away and printed and so on working from the lightest color to the darkest.

Photo ©  Paul g. Wiegman