PHIPPS CONSERVATORY
One of the exceptional parts of this trip was visiting the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in Schenley Park in Pittsburgh.
Phipps Conservatory
It was a gardener’s dream place! Built in the midst of one of Pittsburgh’s largest greenspaces, the historic Lord & Burnham glass and steel greenhouses were originally stocked with tropical plants from the 1893 Colombian Exposition in Chicago. The new entrance building built in 2005 is the first LEED® certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) visitor center in a public garden in the United States. Phipps is both historical and looking to the future!
This soaring, writhing, undulating glass chandelier sculpture by Dale Chihuly greets you in the Welcome Center.
Blown glass chandelier sculpture by Dale Chihuly at Phipps
Other glass sculptures by Chihuly like these can be found scattered throughout the plant exhibits too. I found that the ones with more organic shapes and colors and positioned in semi-believable locations were the ones that were more attractive to me.
More glass sculptures by Chihuly
Also at the Phipps were these intriguing glass sculptures by Hans Godo Frabel called “Longfellows.”
'Longfellows' by Hans Godo Frabel
Frabel is a flame-work glass artist and the art he exhibited here takes the form of whimsical clowns, flower goblets, humanistic vines, reptiles and geometric shapes.
Lest you think that all we were attracted to at the Phipps was the art in the garden, I can assure you that were oohing and aahing over all of the plant exhibits. I had no idea there were so many varieties of my favorite type of fern, the maidenhairs. I gotta get me more!
Maidenhair ferns
The Cacti House (now called the Desert Room to reflect the variety of plants there) was added in 1902. Although I’m generally not too fond of prickly, stabbing types of plants, the specimens at Phipps were definitely ones to admire.
Chihuly sculpture in the Desert Room
The most fun of all was the Winter Flower show there. Poinsettias, paperwhite narcissi, orchids, garlands, swags, huge Christmas trees sparkled and enchanted us in many whimsical vignettes sprinkled throughout the Phipps greenhouses.
Poinsettia Display in the Sunken Garden
And look at this! The display in the East Room was wild – purples, pinks, golds, silvers – and this pod of pink plastic flamingos checking out the melted Frosty the Snowman. And it looks like the koi in the pond were doing the same thing!
Holiday display in the East Room
Finally we are back at the Palm Court, one of the original rooms built in 1893 and where we started our tour of Phipps. It is 65 feet tall, the central focal point of the Conservatory, and where all who enter must pass through.
Snowman Mirror in the Palm Court
As we reflect on our quick trip to Pittsburgh, there is much to remember, but the best part will always be — Being with Family!
Sisters Cathy and Sallie, and daughter Kelsey
Hi – I found your blog via the scanner project (gorgeous stuff) – but what caught my eye was your name “Cowles”. I’m a Cowles, originally from Mass. If you ever find yourselves traveling thru W. Mass stop by South Amherst and visit Andrew’s Greenhouse – he just might be one of your cousins! He’s not too web savvy but all the energy goes into great plants.
Comment by DebbieCZ — January 12, 2011 @ 5:08 pm