Pittsburgh, Pa. — This year Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is taking the old adage “April showers bring May flowers” to new heights as the theme of Spring Flower Show 2015. After another cold Pittsburgh winter, the exhibit, opening on March 14, will, in fact, be the perfect reward for the senses as it celebrates rain and its important role in the natural world with a bevy of bright blooms.
Chosen to complement the theme, the show designs were created to delight and enchant with an abundance of color, scents, sights and sounds that provides a total sensory experience. Reminding guests of the importance of natural cycles, such as rain, that result in the beauty that lifts spirits every spring, a unique water feature in each display room enhances creative scenes with a feeling of serenity.
“When guests walk into the historic Palm Court, they will be greeted by dozens of multi-colored umbrellas hanging overhead, along with cute rain boots planted with many different bulbs,” says Spring Flower Show designer and Phipps Exhibit Coordinator Jordyn Melino. “Another spectacular room, the South Conservatory, will feature a large pond surrounded by a woodland scene dotted with vibrant yellow and purple blooms, as a rowboat leisurely floats on the gentle water.”
Additional points of interest can be found in the Serpentine Room, where storm clouds hanging from the ceiling will be motion-activated as guests walk by, sending drops of rain down into the ponds below, while a rainbow, a phenomenon that often occurs at the end of quick showers, appears in the back of the scene. Visitors can also take a piece of Spring Flower Show home with them by participating in a Used Bulb Sale to be held at Phipps from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. on March 28, plus April 11 and 25.
As part of the show, there will also be a number of special botanical surprises, including the rare and breathtaking Himalayan poppies, a stunning blue variety that is notoriously difficult to grow, as well as the new Viola Hip Hop™ Cranbunny. Along with seasonal favorites like tulips, hyacinths, daffodils and lilies, Phipps horticulturists are also excited to highlight a variety of primula, snapdragons, delphiniums, and the Poor Man’s Orchid, a kind of flower guests do not often get to see on display.
Spring Flower Show, designed by Phipps Exhibit Coordinator Jordyn Melino and supported by presenting sponsor PNC, runs through April 12, bringing to life the magic of this season of renewal and regrowth. Hours are9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily and until 10 p.m. on Fridays. Admission is $15 for adults, $14 for seniors and students, and $11 for children (2 – 18). Members and kids under 2 enter free. More details can be found at phipps.conservatory.org.
