Phipps Conservatory brings 'Sparkle and Shine' to winter flower show
Holiday decorations shine, sunlight on snow sparkles and Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens both sparkles and shines with the return of the winter flower show.
“Sparkle and Shine” is the theme for the extravagant “Holiday Magic! Winter Flower Show and Light Garden,” running through Jan. 9 at the facility in Pittsburgh’s Oakland section.
“After our whimsical summer and fall flower shows that featured our original troll characters, we wanted our Winter Flower Show to really highlight the elegance, sparkle and beauty of winter,” said Jordyn Melino, Phipps associate director of exhibits and designer of the show. “I hope that guests will join us in celebrating the beauty of nature in winter.”
One display hearkens back to the origins of the historic glasshouse.
“Palm Court transports guests back to the days that Phipps first opened in 1893 with a Victorian holiday display,” Melino said. “Our production staff made 30-inch topiary spheres planted in alternating colors of polka dot plant (Hypoestes), and each dressed up with an oversized tassel and ribbon to look like large Victorian-style ornaments hanging overhead in the room.
“In the center of Palm Court is a cut tree decorated in swagged crystal garland, Victorian-style ornaments, finials and reflective ornaments that catch the eye as the tree rotates in an oversized music box,” she said.
Dazzling displays
Other new features for 2021 include:
• A reflective wonderland featuring sparkling ornaments, mirrored tree toppers and twinkling silver trees among elegant beds of red, white and green plants
• A 9-foot-tall holiday tree in the center of an elegant rotunda surrounded by decorated trees floating atop the reflective Victorian pond
• A fun, nontraditional display with a color scheme inspired by iridescence in nature, featuring trees decorated with ornaments arranged in a gradient of colors from blue to green to yellow to pink
• A whimsical display featuring topiary reindeer, a holiday tree comprising 50 anthurium plants, an archway made of wreaths and holiday trees decorated with ornaments created by local middle and high school students through the Phipps Fairchild Challenge education outreach program
• A grand finale taking guests on a journey through oversized gifts and toys under a canopy of colorful string lights
• Dazzling holiday trees, topiaries and signature floral delights, including amaryllis, orchids and more than 1,600 poinsettias
• Luminous orbs, trees, fountains and tunnels of lights filling the Outdoor and Discovery Gardens
• A new addition to the Winter Light Garden that transforms the Discovery Garden Pavilion into a glowing ice palace.
Plants and trees featured in the show are sourced from several growers, in addition to plants grown in Phipps greenhouses. Melino said guests should be on the lookout for a variety of standout poinsettia varieties.
“One new variety on the market is ‘Candy Cane,’ which has red bracts glittered with white variegation. Visitors can see this in plants in the South Conservatory,” she said. “Another unique variety is ‘Marbella,’ which has beautiful pink bracts with a creamy white outline and can be seen in the Palm Court.”
More to see and hear
In addition, the new “Garden Railroad: Bridges and Tunnels” display features miniature recreations of iconic Western Pennsylvania scenes and fun, interactive features at every stop.
Tropical Forest Cuba also will be accentuated with 250 feet of lights, including pink globe lights, illuminated trees and pendant lights.
Phipps is offering more holiday fun with Virtual Stories With Santa on select evenings, Nov. 26-Dec. 23. The jolly old elf will read a winter-themed tale for audiences to enjoy from the comfort of home.
Stories include Jan Brett’s retelling of “The Mitten: A Ukrainian Folktale” and Caralyn Buehner’s “Snowmen at Night.” Sessions are free, but registration is required on the Phipps website.
Tickets for the winter flower show must be reserved in advance. Admission is $19.95, $17.95 for seniors and students, $11.95 for ages 2-18.
Hours are 9:30 a.m.-11 p.m. daily. Phipps will be closed all day Nov. 25 and Dec. 25 and will close at 5 p.m. Dec. 24. Masks are strongly recommended for all guests and required for unvaccinated guests ages 2 and up. For more information and ticket reservations, visit phipps.conservatory.org.
Shirley McMarlin is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Shirley by email at smcmarlin@triblive.com or via Twitter .
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