This Week at Phipps: May 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: 

• 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.
• 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., May 21:

• T'ai Chi | 10 – 11 a.m.
  Derived from the martial arts, T’ai Chi is composed of slow, deliberate movements, meditation and deep breathing - enhancing balance, health and emotional well-being. Learn the basics of T’ai Chi and how this practice can help your mind to retain more information and stay focused on the task at hand.
• Developing Botanical Perspective to Create Depth | 6 – 9 p.m.
  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., May 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.
• Glass Mosaic Tile | 6 – 9 p.m.
  This 3-hour class will allow you to explore color and composition as you decorate a frame with a wide selection of colorful pre-broken glass and tile. Mix and match pieces and see which best fit together as Debbie from Songbird Artistry teaches you how make your own Mosaic tile for your garden or home.

Thurs., May 23:

• Container for Cuisine | 6 – 7:30 p.m.
  In this fun online class, join Phipps Edible Garden Horticulturist Laken Burns to discover how you can combine your love for cooking with the joy of gardening. Whether you’re a budding chef or a soon-to-be home gardener, this class will empower you to create beautiful and functional container gardens that enhance your culinary adventures.
• Fermentation Series: Making Miso at Home | 6 – 8:30 p.m.
  Join this class to learn all about koji (a fundamental ingredient across Asian cuisine) and miso, a Japanese fermented bean paste. Participants will learn how to safely make miso using a variety of ingredients and learn how to make a classic Japanese miso soup in class.

Sat., May 25: 

• Plant Identification Walk: Plants for Shade and Moist Locations | 10 a.m. – Noon
  The best way to learn about new plants is to see them firsthand in the landscape! Join landscape architecture instructor and plantsman Joshua Beblo to be introduced to dozens of plants in the landscape. Walks will focus on different themes, and any plants you pass are fair game for identification and discussion.
• Discovery Garden Day | 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
  Families are invited to a special day of fun to mark the summer opening of the Discovery Garden, the interactive sensory garden that delights children and adults of all ages. Kids will enjoy special activities throughout the day held in our Discovery Garden, exploring the beauty and wonders of nature as they play.

Photos © Paul Vladuchick