This Week at Phipps: July 8 – 14

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: Summer Flower Show: Under the Sea
  Starting Sat., May 4, dive into the magical underworld of the ocean with whimsical displays of an array of sea creatures, unique plant foliage and fantastic flora.
• NOW OPEN: Butterfly Forest
  Starting Sat., May 4, watch colorful butterflies break free of their chrysalises to soar and glide among beautiful Phipps blooms. One may even land on you!
• Sea Creature Creations: A Youth Art Exhibit
  In this annual exhibit in our Welcome Center, view sea creature creations from The Fairchild Challenge student participants.
• 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.
• Youth Climate Advocacy Committee Sustainable Art and Fashion Gallery
  Now open in the Center for Sustainable Landscapes, view the handcrafted sustainable pieces crafted by Phipps’ YCAC members, who are passionate about sharing eco-friendly fashion and art habits and while encouraging youth to implement this in their own creative works.
• 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., July 9:

• Wild Plant Culure: Restoring Native Edible and Medicinal Plant Communities with Jared Rosenbaum | 7:30 – 9 p.m. 
  In this class, field botanist, native plant grower, and restoration practitioner Jared Rosenbaum will guide you through considering stewarding edible and medicinal plant species in native habitats such as riparian corridors and glades and discuss how a habitat-based approach translates to yards, parks and farms. We'll explore the prospect of changing our foodways to patterns that favor native diversity, rewarding restoration and stewardship. 

Wed., July 10: 

• 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.
• Jazz in the Garden | 6:30 – 9 p.m. 
  In collaboration with Pittsburgh Jazz Hall of Fame member, jazz and funk bassist Dwayne Dolphin, the cool tunes and full blooms are back for a second summer performance in our lush Outdoor Garden! Prepare to kick back, relax and enjoy a night of exciting music, light refreshments and botanical beauty.

Thurs., July 11:

• Pen and Ink with Watercolor | 6 – 9 p.m. 
  In this course the focus will be on drawing water plants such as water lily, lotus, seaweed as well as several others in pen and ink, then adding color with watercolor. Experience a variety of different techniques and try out a few different materials!
• Exploring Soil Life | 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. 
  There’s a lot more going on below ground than you think. Take a closer look by sampling soil at Phipps and extracting the organisms that are hiding below our feet. From mites, to springtails, to pseudoscorpions, there are a lot of fascinating little creatures to appreciate!

Sat., July 13:

• Wild Plant Culture Inspired Visit  to Garfield Community Farm | 10 – 11:30 a.m. 
  Excited about growing edible and medicinal plants? Come see an example of what is possible at Garfield Community Farm, an incredible example of vibrant urban agriculture! Join us for a tour of the farm followed by a Q and A with John Creasy, Executive Director of the farm. 
• Shinrin Yoku Guided Forest Therapy Walk | 10 a.m. – Noon 
  Come join Forest Awakenings for a relaxing nature retreat shaped by the Japanese practice of Shinrin Yoku. Join this shortened version of our popular forest therapy walk, where we’ll slow down and connect with the More Than Human World in a deeper, more intimate way.

Photos © Phil Johnson II