How does your garden grow? At Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh, it’s pretty darn green -- as in, one of America's greenest public gardens. They're a partner of the EPA’s Green Power Leadership Club, which supports technologies that are more sustainable for businesses.
Phipps has been around since 1893 (way before other important forms of entertainment, like Tumblr), inviting the public to its many indoor and outdoor botanical gardens.
Today, inside the steel and glass Vitctorian greenhouse, you'll find 19 gardens separated into rooms, with new exhibits every few months. Our favorite, the Victoria Room, lets us control the jets and lights of the pool (ADHD much?). Other gardens inside include perennials, ferns, tropical fruit and spices, and of course, an orchid garden.
In fact, from Jan. 14 to March 4, Phipps is celebrating the Orchid and Tropical Bonsai Show (open 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. daily; admission $12), featuring the most unique specimens from all their collections.
Phipps also offers different types of guided garden tours: tropical forest, greenhouse, enviro-friendly, and docent-led. Each can take up to 90 minutes. They also have self-guided tours available.
If you’re a sponge for information, consider the learning programs available, ranging from landscape design to horticulture to floral design.
Phipps is located across from Shenley Park, a 456-green acre urban park, at 700 Frank Curto Drive in Pittsburgh, Penn.. about 250 miles northwest of downtown D.C.
