This Week at Phipps: March 4 - 10

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: 

• COMING SOON: Spring Flower Show: A Closer Look 
  Opening Sat., March 16, and only lasting four weeks, these stunning displays are a must-see to jump-start your season of renewal. With magnifying glasses stationed throughout, you'll be able to admire the details of beautiful blooms in a rainbow of shades.
• COMING SOON: Ikebana International Exhibit
  In this recurring exhibit in our Welcome Center Gallery, view gorgeous floral displays courtesy of the Ikebana International Pittsburgh Chapter. 
• NOW OPEN: Color, Texture, Shape: The Art of Deborah Sudran
  A gifted painter fascinated with plants and nature, Deborah Sudran sought to communicate her emotional response to nature with compelling color and powerful imagery, including orchids, bromeliads and other species that complement the displays you'll see in the Conservatory.
• 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., March 5:

• Botany for Gardeners | 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. 
  Take a fascinating look at how plants grow.  Topics will focus directly on botanical principles that relate to gardening: plants and their importance to man; stems, leaves and roots; factors affecting plant growth; reproduction; and fruits and flowers.
• Flower Power for Emotional Well-Being | 7 - 8:30 p.m. 
  Join Polly Berginc AIFD on this tutorial of simple designs and appreciation of flowers, and find inspiration and peace of mind. She will demonstrate simple techniques using a variety of containers readily available in your home to add an element of nature to your environment. 

Wed., March 6: 

• 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
• Cozy Plant Forward Meals: Roasted Butternut Barley Risotto | 6 - 7:30 p.m.
  This healthy and creamy risotto is made with pearl barley instead of the classic Arborio rice. The sweetness of the roasted butternut squash works with the nuttiness of the barley to create a comforting dish you’ll want to make on repeat.

Sat., March. 9: 

• Legacy Ukulele Ensemble | 2 - 3 p.m. 
  Against the background of the beautiful Tropical Forest Hawai‘i exhibit, enjoy a selection of Hawaiian, classical, folk, and rock songs performed by The Legacy Ukulele Ensemble. Led by internationally acclaimed ukulele teacher, Peter Luongo, The Legacy Ensemble strives to inspire their audiences to embrace joyful, life-long music learning. 

Sun., March. 10: 

• Drawing and Painting Insects I and II | 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
  In this class we will explore various methods for illustrating insects, and students may use any medium they are comfortable with already, including graphite drawing, pen and ink, watercolor, etc. The goal of the class is to learn how to observe insects from life or from photos and then work on illustrating them in natural poses.

Photos © Phil Johnson II