Father Pitt

Category: Phipps Conservatory

  • Firecracker Flower

    Crossandra infundibuliformis
    Canon PowerShot SX150 IS.

    Crossandra infundibuliformis blooming in Phipps Conservatory.

  • Winter Light Garden at Phipps Conservatory

    Phipps Conservatory illuminated

    This year’s Winter Flower Show and Light Garden ends tomorrow to make way for the annual Orchid and Bonsai Show. The conservatory is open late for the light show, which has become one of Pittsburgh’s chief holiday attractions.

    Joy
    Globes and pointy things
    Abstract tree
    Illuminated tree
    Orange and green
    Light arcade
    Overlooking the light garden
    Broderie
    Sunken Garden
    Victoria Room
    East Room
    Serpentine Room
    View from the Japanese Courtyard Garden
  • Lord & Burnham, Horticultural Architects and Builders

    Lord & Burnham advertisement from 1896
    From the American Architect and Building News, July 25, 1896.

    Lord & Burnham designed Phipps Conservatory in 1892, which was probably their biggest commission ever; and in this 1896 advertisement for their services, we see them showing a model conservatory that is very much like one of the wings of Phipps.

    Phipps Conservatory from a similar angle
    Southeast wing of Phipps Conservatory, with John Massey Rhind’s Robert Burns.
  • Laelia

    In the Orchid Room at Phipps Conservatory.

  • Blue Vanda in the Orchid Room, Phipps Conservatory

  • A Frightful Cycad

    Female cone of Encephalartos ferox

    Since today is supposed to be dedicated to all things frightful, here is a cycad whose very name tells you it is ferocious: Encephalartos ferox. It was growing and coning (the bright salmon-colored cone is a female cone) in the Fern Room at Phipps Conservatory. For the purposes of the Fern Room, cycads are honorary ferns.

    Encephalartos ferox
  • Farewell to the Fall Flower Show

    Today is the last day of the Fall Flower Show at Phipps Conservatory. This is how the East Room was decorated.

  • Chrysanthemums and Coleus

    Blooming coleus with a background of yellow chrysanthemums

    At the Phipps Fall Flower Show.

  • Japanese Maples

    Japanese maples in fall colors

    In the Japanese Courtyard Garden at Phipps Conservatory.

    Red, yellow, and green foliage
  • Chrysanthemums at the Phipps Fall Flower Show

    This is the last weekend of the Fall Flower Show at Phipps. They’re already starting work on the Winter Flower Show. Every year each show has a whimsical theme, but for fall the stars of the show are always the chrysanthemums.