This Week at Phipps: March 10 – 16

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: 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
• Tropical Delight: The Art of Deborah Sudran
  When you visit our Orchid and Tropical Bonsai Show, enjoy the work of Deborah Sudran, a gifted painter who communicated her emotional response to nature with compelling color and powerful imagery.
• 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.

Mon., March 10: 

• Natural Dyeing: Clay Resist Indigo Vat Dyeing | 6 – 8:30 p.m.
  Join local artist Amy Garbark of garbella to explore the wide world of natural dyeing. This two week class will guide participants through the world of Indigo and introduction to resist dyeing by way of clay resist. In the first week, participants will learn how to prepare and apply clay-resist techniques to fabric prior to dyeing in a natural indigo vat.
• History of Garden Design | 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
  A garden’s form and the sense of place it creates can only fully be understood by studying the culture and individuals who brought it into existence. Learn to apply knowledge of garden history in evaluating today’s materials and spaces.

Tues., March 11:

• 5 Mother Sauces: Tomato and Espagnole | 6 – 8 p.m.
  In this class we’ll make two more mother sauces, tomato and espagnole. We’ll start with espagnole, a traditional beef stock, that will be turned into a rich wine-forward bordelaise sauce served over slices of beef. While that’s cooking, we’ll make classic sweet tomato sauce to be served over pasta. Gluten free options available by request. Must be 21+ to register. 
• Herbal Medicine Making: Refreshing | 6 – 8 p.m.
  Join Michelle Soto from Cutting Root Farm to explore a variety of different medicine-making techniques and mediums.Revitalize your senses and boost your energy with our herbal medicine making class focused on refreshing remedies. With spring around the corner, keeping your mind and body ready for the change of seasons is important. This class session will equip you with medicine-making skills that will give you a refreshing and clean slate for the new season.
• Hydrangeas | 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
  Discover how easy it is to have hydrangea blooms all summer long! Learn when to prune and how to get that amazing pink, blue or purple color. We will cover the following topics: culture, pruning, and use in your landscape as well as new varieties and unusual cultivars.

Wed., March 12: 

• 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.

Thurs., March 13:

• Nature Talks: Inspiring Ideas and Community Conversations - Gardening in a Changing Climate with Eric Toensmeier | 7 – 8 p.m.
  Climate change will impact the way we plan and manage our gardens. Review climate projections for the Pittsburgh area and what they mean for gardeners. Eric Toensmeier, author of Paradise Lot, Edible Forest Gardens and a contributor to Drawdown will introduce a palette of plants and practices that can be used to adapt to the new climate, including how to plan for periods of drought and intense rainfall. Participants will leave with a toolkit full of solutions.

 Fri, March 14: 

• Shamrock Night at Phipps | 5 – 10 p.m.
  Looking for Friday night fun? You're in luck! On Fri., March 14, Shamrock Night at Phipps invites guests to view the Conservatory illuminated in green, listen to festive music echo throughout the glasshouse, take a sneak peek at our in-progress Spring Flower Show installation (before its official opening on March 22) and tour the new Tropical Forest Panama exhibit. The fun doesn't stop there! The first 100 guests to arrive at 5 p.m. or later can receive a complimentary 2-inch Oxalis plant by inquiring at our admissions desk.

Sat., March 15: 

• Moss Covered Woodland Mirror | 10:30 a.m. – Noon
  Using natural and woodland-inspired embellishments, create a whimsical moss-covered mirror that "reflects" your creativity. This class will utilize dried and preserved moss, so there is no need to worry about taking care of your mirror. Feel free to bring your hot glue gun if you have one, although plenty will be provided. Please note the project in class may not match the image provided.
• #bioPGH Science Table Talks: Splendiferous Seeds | 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
  Spring is in the air! Soon enough, the meadows and forests will start blushing green, and leaves and blooms will begin bursting back to their bright pallets for summer. As we marvel over the tiny buds, have you ever wondered how magnificent it is that a mighty oak was once the since of an acorn? Or been in awe of how far just one dandelion seed seems to travel? In honor of spring, let’s explore some seed science!

 

Photos © Paul Vladuchick